cross-examination

1 of 2

noun (1)

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

cross-examiner

2 of 2

noun (2)

cross-ex·​am·​in·​er ¦krȯs-ig-¦zam-nər 

-¦za-mə-

: one that cross-examines

Examples of cross-examination in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

On cross-examination, the defense asked Guarino about files that were deleted. — Matt Schooley, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Their opportunity came during the cross-examination of Elizabeth Riddell, an FBI case manager who had extracted messages and other data from the cellphones of defendants in the case. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2026

Those who did faced a live hearing and cross-examination by a person of their alleged attacker’s choosing. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026

But Vaccaro's attorneys, on cross-examination, then tried to muddy up Hill further. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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