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

Gonzales conceded the fact on cross-examination during a June 1, 2022, bench trial. —Ray Stern, The Arizona Republic, 16 Oct. 2024

Solis is not expected to hit the stand until sometime in November, and his testimony could last a week or more, depending on what surely will be a lengthy and fascinating cross-examination. —Ray Long, Chicago Tribune, 7 Oct. 2024

Dishwashers and Costco rotisserie chickens On cross-examination, DOJ counsel Aaron Teitelbaum chipped away at Israel’s credibility, painting him as a career trial witness — and a questionable one, at that. —Lauren Feiner, The Verge, 1 Oct. 2024

But perhaps the most heated exchange about a witness' credibility came during the DOJ's cross-examination of Mark Israel, the key expert that Google is relying on to challenge the DOJ's market definition. —Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 27 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1707, in the meaning defined above

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