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

The dismantling of the prosecution would require him to ferret out inconsistencies and contradictions in Ephron’s testimony in cross-examination. —Julian Sancton, HollywoodReporter, 4 Apr. 2025

However, during cross-examination, the defense sought to downplay the impact, pointing out that the AP could still license photos from other companies. —Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025

On cross-examination, Justice Department lawyer Brian Hudak pointed to White House events where foreign AP photojournalists or photographers with licensing agreements were allowed to attend. —Ella Lee, The Hill, 27 Mar. 2025

The Court ruled that testimony from witnesses who have since become unavailable may not be admitted without cross-examination, because doing so would violate the defendant's Sixth Amendment right to be confronted with the witnesses. —Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1707, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cross-examination

• acclimatisation
• acclimatization
• acidification
• actualization
• annualization
• autocorrelation
• autoregulation
• beatification
• beneficiation
• biodegradation
• biotransformation
• bureaucratization

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