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

Venus’ victory over Stearns puts the burden of proof on the rest of the WTA players. —Merlisa Lawrence Corbett, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025

Utilities must meet their burden of proof to show customers are benefiting from the investments that customers pay for on their bills, and in this case Aquarion came up short. —Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 9 July 2025

Typically, the default duty imposed by U.S. customs is based on the import price of a good, putting the burden of proof on the importer to demonstrate the initial cost of that item. —Karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 26 May 2025

The government is not meeting its burden of proof, and the defense is doing a great job at eliciting necessary and damaging testimony from the government's witnesses, including their key witness, Ms. Ventura. —Joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 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.