evidentiary

adjective

ev·​i·​den·​tia·​ry ˌe-və-ˈden-chə-rē 

-chē-ˌer-ē

1

: being, relating to, or affording evidence

photographs of evidentiary value

2

: conducted so that evidence may be presented

an evidentiary hearing

Examples of evidentiary in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Duckett’s attorneys this spring said an evidentiary hearing was needed after DNA tests conducted in March — ones not available at the time of their client’s arrest decades ago — and the results reviewed by a second lab last month showed inconclusive results as to whether Duckett’s DNA was present. — Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 June 2026

After an evidentiary hearing, Flores was denied a new trial. — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 15 June 2026

There is a wider evidentiary trail being laid, too. — Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 10 June 2026

Hennis was initially convicted in state court in 1986, but the conviction was overturned on appeal because of evidentiary issues. — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1780, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for evidentiary

• plenipotentiary

Legal Definition

evidentiary

adjective

ev·​i·​den·​tia·​ry ˌe-və-ˈden-chə-rē, -chē-ˌer-ē 

1

: being, relating to, or affording evidence

photographs of evidentiary value

2

: conducted so that evidence may be presented

an evidentiary hearing

evidentiarily adverb