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

The judge in the case recently denied the government’s motion to stop the defendants from raising their public authority defense at trial, so their lawyers could bring it up directly or through cross-examination of federal agents. —Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2026

During cross-examination, Wiethorn testified there was no damage to the building and that there was no gate or fence blocking access to the area where the fireworks originated. —Kelsy Mittauer, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026

On cross-examination, Saoud agreed that the case was not high profile because of the nature of the criminal allegations but because of who the defendant was. —Travis Loller The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 27 Feb. 2026

At Irving Plaza, join an emotional cross-examination of self with the droll, demure music of Eliza McLamb (April 24). —Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 27 Feb. 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