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

First Look with The Post's Jonathan Capehart, Marianna Sotomayor, Ramesh Ponnuru and Jason Willick FAA investigating near miss at Reagan National Airport The prosecutors are done with their part of voir dire. —Washington Post, 19 Apr. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

Anglo-French, literally, to speak the truth

First Known Use

1676, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

voir dire

1 of 2 noun

ˈvwär-ˈdir, ˈwär- 

: 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)

Etymology

Anglo-French, to speak the truth