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

Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor, the lead investigator in the Karen Read murder case, will return to the stand today for what promises to be a tense cross-examination by defense attorneys. —Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 2024

In cross-examination, government attorney Amar Bhachu displayed emails from precinct captain Ray Nice with constituent requests for signs and rodent control. —Jim Talamonti | The Center Square Contributor, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 20 Dec. 2024

Zuazo's attorney Michael McCarthy posed some questions during cross-examination pertaining to his client's identification as a suspect in the case. —Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press, 17 Dec. 2024

The jury wanted to hear part of the cross-examination of the city medical examiner who concluded Penny's chokehold killed Neely. —Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 9 Dec. 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