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

During his cross-examination, Gross raised issues about other possible sources of infection at KU Med. —Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2026

Becker noted representatives of the state’s attorney’s office and the county’s Land Use Department informed him cross-examination would not be allowed. —Alicia Fabbre, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026

Moss’ cross-examination undercut the credibility of the government’s main cooperating witness, Perera, who was not charged with Rivera and co-defendant Esther Nuhfer, a Miami political consultant. —Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2026

Collier also said the hearing lacked due processes, like cross-examination. —Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1707, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cross-examination

• acclimatisation
• acclimatization
• acidification
• actualization
• annualization
• autocorrelation
• autoregulation
• beatification
• beneficiation
• biodegradation
• biotransformation
• bureaucratization

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