witness*/

[ˈwɪtnəs] noun [C] I

1) someone who sees a crime, accident, or other event happen

Witnesses reported hearing two gunshots.[/ex]

Any witnesses to the incident are asked to contact the police.[/ex]

Detectives are appealing for witnesses.[/ex]

2) someone who tells a court what they know about a crime

More than 20 witnesses will be called.[/ex]

a witness for the defence/prosecution[/ex]

3) someone who watches you sign an official document and then signs it to state that they have watched you

II

verb [T]

witness */[ˈwɪtnəs]

1) to see something happen, for example a crime or an accident

Several journalists witnessed the incident.[/ex]

2) to be present when something important happens

We are witnessing the third change of government in three years.[/ex]

3) used for saying that something happened at a particular time or in a particular place

The 1980s witnessed enormous growth in the financial sector.[/ex]

4) to watch someone sign an official document, and then sign it yourself to state that you have watched them

Could you witness my signature on this visa application?[/ex]