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 witness, David Pecker, who has known the former president for decades, faced a stern cross-examination from Mr. Trump’s defense lawyer, Emil Bove. —Jonah E. Bromwich, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2024

The prosecution may choose to ask David Pecker some further questions after the cross-examination. —Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 26 Apr. 2024

The Court of Appeals also overturned Burke’s ruling that would have allowed prosecutors to use 28 incidents of bullying or abusive behavior on cross-examination, had Weinstein taken the stand in his own defense. —Gene Maddaus, Variety, 26 Apr. 2024

Wanda was more comfortable during the cross-examination, which was handled by Lowthorp, a former police officer with a blunt, humorless affect. —Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2024

Pecker's cross-examination is expected to continue Friday morning. —Brooke Singman, Fox News, 25 Apr. 2024

On the other hand, the threat of a cross-examination highlighting these untested allegations undermined defendant’s right to testify. —James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Apr. 2024

During the cross-examination on March 7, the Boeing attorneys questioned Barnett about his education, pre-Boeing jobs, and positions at the planemaker before moving to the North Charleston facility. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2024

During cross-examination, the prosecution showed the jury images of the shoe and purse. —James Hartley, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Apr. 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