testament
TEHS-tuh-muhnt
Testament (noun) means a legal document stating how a person wants their property divided after death. Example: “My grandfather asked a solicitor to help him write his testament before he moved.”
noun
1
A legal document stating how a person wants their property divided after death.
"My grandfather asked a solicitor to help him write his testament before he moved."
"According to the testament, the money was to be shared equally between the cousins."
"His last will and testament left the house to his daughter."
2
One of the two main sections of the Christian Bible.
"The vicar read a passage from the New Testament during the service."
"Our teacher explained how the Old Testament differs from the rest of the Bible."
"The story of Noah's ark is found in the Old Testament."
3
Clear proof or evidence of something, often something admirable.
"The crowded stadium was a testament to how much the town loved its team."
"Her recovery is a testament to her sheer determination."
"The ancient bridge still standing is a testament to Roman engineering."
How to use testament
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLegally, a will; more commonly used today to mean solid proof that something is true or admirable.
Common pairings
a testament to
last will and testament
Old Testament
New Testament
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Word forms
- Plural
- testaments
- Third person singular
- testaments
- Past tense
- testamented
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My grandfather asked a solicitor to help him write his _____ before he moved.
Etymology
From Latin testamentum, "a will", related to testis, "a witness" — the same root behind "testify" and "testimony", since a will is essentially a person's witnessed final wishes.
Related words
Rhymes for testament
lament
ornament
ligament
armament
filament
sacrament
firmament
tournament
parliament
temperament
predicament
disarmament
See all rhymes for testament →
Frequently asked questions
What does “testament” mean?
The word “testament” means a legal document stating how a person wants their property divided after death. In plain terms, legally, a will; more commonly used today to mean solid proof that something is true or admirable.
How do you pronounce “testament”?
“Testament” is pronounced TEHS-tuh-muhnt (/ˈtɛs.tə.mənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “testament” in a sentence?
Here is “testament” used in a sentence: “His last will and testament left the house to his daughter.”
What part of speech is “testament”?
“Testament” is a noun.
Where does the word “testament” come from?
The word “testament” comes from Latin. From Latin testamentum, "a will", related to testis, "a witness" — the same root behind "testify" and "testimony", since a will is essentially a person's witnessed final wishes.
Is “testament” a common word?
“Testament” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “testament” have?
“Testament” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a legal document stating how a person wants their property divided after death.
What is the difference between a will and a testament?
In modern law the words are interchangeable, and the traditional phrase "last will and testament" is a legal doublet that survives from older usage. Historically, testament was sometimes said to deal with personal property and will with land, but no such distinction applies today.
How is the phrase "a testament to" used?
Saying something is "a testament to" a quality means it is clear proof or evidence of it, usually something admirable: "The bridge still stands, a testament to the skill of its builders." The phrase almost always takes to rather than of.
What is the difference between testament and testimony?
Testimony is a statement given by a witness, especially formal evidence in court, while a testament is a legal document disposing of property after death and, figuratively, clear proof of something. In the figurative sense the two overlap: both "a testament to her dedication" and "a testimony to her dedication" occur, with testament the more usual choice in modern writing.
Why are the two parts of the Bible called the Old and New Testament?
In this use, testament reflects an older sense meaning "covenant", a solemn agreement, rather than a will. The two main sections of the Christian Bible are named for what Christians regard as the earlier covenant between God and Israel and the later covenant established through Jesus.
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