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 cross-examination by Petrova's attorney, Goldsworthy struggled to define what a biological material is. —Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 18 June 2025

But on cross-examination, the prosecution noted that the sweatshirt O’Keefe was wearing that night tested negative for dog DNA. —Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 18 June 2025

On cross-examination, Jackson raised questions about the adequacy of the evidence collection. —Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 16 June 2025

During cross-examination, it was revealed that Richard hadn't mentioned all of the celebrities at the dinner. —Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2025

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