Testator Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

testator

noun

tes·​ta·​tor ˈte-ˌstā-tər How to pronounce testator (audio)
te-ˈstā-
: a person who dies leaving a will or testament in force

Examples of testator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The testator’s answers to questions are used to populate fields in the software. Virginia Hammerle, Dallas News, 23 July 2023 The type most people think about is a holographic will, which is entirely in the testator’s own handwriting. Virginia Hammerle, Dallas News, 23 July 2023 In another case, the testator named himself as the sole beneficiary of his estate. Virginia Hammerle, Dallas News, 23 July 2023 Executors should not disclose details of a will without permission of the testator (the person writing the will). Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 12 Aug. 2022 Wills and trusts were vulnerable to legal challenge if the testator was deemed insane, and those episodes had inspired whispers about Stanford’s erratic decision-making and her communions with spirits. Maia Silber, The New Yorker, 30 May 2022 The default survival period: A beneficiary must survive the testator (the person making the will) by at least 120 hours. Dallas News, 8 Aug. 2021 This allows the testator to avoid burdening a beneficiary who may not have enough income to pay the debt on a particular asset. Dallas News, 8 Aug. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'testator.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English testatour, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin testator, from Latin testari

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of testator was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near testator

Cite this Entry

“Testator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/testator. Accessed 27 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

testator

noun
tes·​ta·​tor ˈtes-ˌtāt-ər How to pronounce testator (audio)
tes-ˈtāt-
: a person who leaves a will in force at the time of death

Legal Definition

testator

noun
tes·​ta·​tor ˈte-ˌstā-tər How to pronounce testator (audio)
: a person who dies leaving a will
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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