voir dire
noun
ˈvwär-ˈdir 
ˈwär-
: a preliminary examination to determine the competency of a witness or juror
Examples of voir dire in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The judge said voir dire – a process of prospective jurors answering questions to gauge their impartiality – is the best way to sniff out whether pretrial publicity has tainted the community.
—
Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 19 June 2024
Professional backgrounds had been discussed openly since jury selection began, as candidates read answers to a lengthy biographical questionnaire and also spoke about their jobs through voir dire questioning by the prosecution and defense.
—Isaac Arnsdorf, Washington Post, 19 Apr. 2024
During voir dire, jurors can get sent home in a few ways.
—Kyler Alvord, Peoplemag, 17 Apr. 2024
Second, even if the motion to change venue were denied, any potential adverse impact upon the juror pool because of the survey will be not only negligible due to the small number of jurors contacted, but also addressable via voir dire.
—Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 28 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for voir dire 
Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 19 June 2024
Professional backgrounds had been discussed openly since jury selection began, as candidates read answers to a lengthy biographical questionnaire and also spoke about their jobs through voir dire questioning by the prosecution and defense.
—Isaac Arnsdorf, Washington Post, 19 Apr. 2024
During voir dire, jurors can get sent home in a few ways.
—Kyler Alvord, Peoplemag, 17 Apr. 2024
Second, even if the motion to change venue were denied, any potential adverse impact upon the juror pool because of the survey will be not only negligible due to the small number of jurors contacted, but also addressable via voir dire.
—Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 28 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for voir dire
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'voir dire.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Voir dire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/voir%20dire. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
voir dire
1 of 2 noun
: a formal examination especially to determine qualification (as of a proposed witness)
the judge admitted the witness's expert testimony after a voir dire by the attorney
especially
: the act or process of questioning prospective jurors to determine which are qualified (as by freedom from bias) and suited for service on a jury
voir dire
2 of 2 transitive verb
voir dired; voir diring
: to examine in a voir dire proceeding
a motion to voir dire the witness outside the presence of the jury
voir diring prospective jurors as to their beliefs concerning the death penalty—State v. Ortiz, 540 P.2d 850 (1975) (concur)
State v. Ortiz, 540 P.2d 850 (1975) (concur)Etymology
Anglo-French, to speak the truth
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