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

Keoghs, however, appears to be saying that the players in the City case could have been spared some distress if their own legal representatives had chosen a different line of cross-examination. —Daniel Taylor, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025

Image Lawyers involved in previous hacking cases said Harry was taking a risk in exposing himself to several days of cross-examination. —Mark Landler, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025

The lawyer who normally practices in New York is gregarious, quick with a joke and always happy to talk to the media, but can be ruthless in cross-examination. —Andrew Dalton, Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2025

He is expected to undergo a grueling cross-examination, where lawyers for Freeman and Moss will seek to show that Giuliani is not a permanent resident of West Palm Beach and uses the apartment only as a holiday home. —Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025

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