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

The government must meet a high burden of proof even for the charge of immigration or naturalization fraud to stand. —Dan Gooding gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025

Before Combs’ defense team put on a 25-minute defense, with no witnesses called to the stand, Combs’ attorney, Alexandra Shapiro, submitted a motion for a mistrial, claiming the government failed to meet its burden of proof across all five charges. —Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 25 June 2025

Legal experts say Subramanian should instruct jurors not to give less weight to the defense for putting on no witnesses because the burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt still falls on the prosecution. —Erik Ortiz, NBC news, 24 June 2025

White individuals and straight people do not need to meet a higher burden of proof than members of minority groups to prevail in employment discrimination suits, the Supreme Court held last week. —Noah Feldman, Mercury News, 12 June 2025

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.