burden of proof

noun phrase

: the duty of proving a disputed assertion or charge

Examples of burden of proof in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson said after Miller’s plea hearing that Missouri’s self-defense law imposes a burden of proof that was too high for her office to secure a murder conviction. —Ben Wheeler may 30, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2026

Borkon denied Tesla’s attempt to throw out the claims, saying the carmaker did not submit undisputed evidence that would shift the burden of proof to the CRD. —ArsTechnica, 27 May 2026

What changes under the OCC rule The rebuttable presumption inverts the burden of proof. —Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026

As the second day of Group of Seven discussions proceed in Paris, the aftermath of a bond-market readjustment factoring in more inflation has raised the burden of proof needed to keep borrowing costs unchanged. —Craig Stirling, Bloomberg, 19 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1705, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for burden of proof

• aloof
• behoof
• disproof
• flameproof
• foolproof
• greaseproof
• leakproof
• reproof
• soundproof
• bulletproof
• fireproof
• waterproof

Legal Definition

burden of proof

: the responsibility of producing sufficient evidence in support of a fact or issue and favorably persuading the trier of fact (as a judge or jury) regarding that fact or issue

the burden of proof is sometimes upon the defendant to show his incompetency

—W. R. LaFave and A. W. Scott, Jr.

compare standard of proof

Note: The legal concept of the burden of proof encompasses both the burdens of production and persuasion. Burden of proof is often used to refer to one or the other. Burden of proof and burden of persuasion are also sometimes used to refer to the standard of proof.