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

Jane began testifying Thursday afternoon and is expected to return to the stand next week to continue her testimony and cross-examination. —Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 7 June 2025

The fashion designer was told during cross-examination that Combs performed in New Jersey on Sept. 25 and was at a benefit event in New York with Ventura Fine the next day — appearances that were allegedly backed up by receipts from the Trump International Hotel & Tower through Sept. 27. —Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 6 June 2025

Special prosecutor Hank Brennan was expected to kick off cross-examination when court resumes. —Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 6 June 2025

During her cross-examination by Combs’ lawyers, Mia was grilled for hours about her friendly texts with Combs, and whether the abuse had really happened. —Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 6 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