cross-examination

noun

cross-ex·am·i·na·tion ˈkrȯs-ig-ˌza-mə-ˈnā-shən

: the examination of a witness who has already testified in order to check or discredit the witness's testimony, knowledge, or credibility compare direct examination

cross-examine

ˈkrȯs-ig-ˈza-mən

verb

cross-examiner

ˈkrȯs-ig-ˈzam-nər

-ˈza-mə-

noun

Examples of cross-examination in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web This directly contradicts a statement Trone gave on the stand during cross-examination prosecution on Monday—he’s always pled innocent to all charges. —

James Sanders, VIBE.com, 7 Aug. 2024 Brian Winchester sits on the witness stand during cross-examination in the trial of Denise Williams in Tallahassee, Fla., on Dec. 12, 2018. —

Richard Schlesinger, CBS News, 3 Aug. 2024 Simon and others say Harris’s early career prepared her to parry such attacks, like an attorney handling cross-examination. —

Reis Thebault, Washington Post, 29 July 2024 The defense attorneys’ cross-examination of Woodland will continue when the proceedings resume in August. —

Cameron Duran, The Mercury News, 19 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for cross-examination

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

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1707, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of cross-examination was circa 1707

See more words from the same year

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Style

“Cross-examination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cross-examination. Accessed 18 Aug. 2024.

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Legal Definition

cross-examination

noun

: the examination of a witness who has already testified in order to check or discredit the witness's testimony, knowledge, or credibility see also confrontation clause compare direct examination, recross-examination, redirect examination

Note: In accordance with Rule 611 of the Federal Rules of Evidence, cross-examination should only refer to matters that were covered during direct examination or that are relevant to the witness's credibility. Anything exceeding these limits is permissible at the court's discretion. Leading questions are also ordinarily allowed on cross-examination under Rule 611.

cross-examine verb

cross-examiner noun

Last Updated: 18 Aug 2024 - Updated example sentences

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cross-examination

noun

Examples of cross-examination in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near cross-examination

Cite this Entry

Legal Definition