1wit·ness 
/ˈwɪtnəs/ noun
plural wit·ness·es /ˈwɪtnəs/ noun 1 [count] a : a person who sees something (such as a crime) happen
▪ a murder witness — often + to ▪ He was a witness to a robbery. — see also eyewitness
b law : a person who makes a statement in a court about what he or she knows or has seen
▪ The defense/prosecution called its first witness to the stand. ▪ a witness for the defense/prosecution ▪ a character witness [=a person who can say whether someone is honest, has a good character, etc.] 2 [count] : a person who is present at an event (such as a wedding) and can say that it happened
▪ His aunt and uncle were witnesses at his baptism. ▪ There must be two witnesses present when she signs the document. 3 [noncount] US : a statement of a person's religious beliefs
▪ They gave witness to their faith. [=declared their belief in a god or religion]
▪ a murder witness — often + to ▪ He was a witness to a robbery. — see also eyewitness
b law : a person who makes a statement in a court about what he or she knows or has seen
▪ The defense/prosecution called its first witness to the stand. ▪ a witness for the defense/prosecution ▪ a character witness [=a person who can say whether someone is honest, has a good character, etc.]
▪ His aunt and uncle were witnesses at his baptism. ▪ There must be two witnesses present when she signs the document.
▪ They gave witness to their faith. [=declared their belief in a god or religion]
bear witness 1 : to show that something exists or is true — + to ▪ His success bears witness to the value of hard work. ▪ Rising ticket sales bear witness to the band's popularity. [=show that the band is popular] 2 formal : to make a statement saying that you saw or know something
▪ She was accused of bearing false witness. [=saying that she saw something that she did not really see]
▪ She was accused of bearing false witness. [=saying that she saw something that she did not really see]
be witness to
: to see (something) happen
▪ We have been witness to many changes in recent years. [=we have seen many changes in recent years]
▪ We have been witness to many changes in recent years. [=we have seen many changes in recent years]
