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

His testimony was possibly overshadowed by a fiery cross-examination. — Penny Kmitt, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026

On Monday, as Palacios wrapped up his second-day of testimony under cross-examination by Sanon’s defense lawyer Humberto Dominguez, Désir made his initial appearance before a federal magistrate judge in Miami across the street. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026

Judd suggested during his cross-examination that the defense attorney’s reference was improper. — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 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

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