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 combative cross-examination, Trump’s lawyers sought to paint Daniels as a liar and extortionist who’s trying to take down the former president after drawing money and fame from her claims. —Jake Offenhartz, Fortune, 10 May 2024

For her part, Ms. Daniels was initially uneven — speeding through testimony and earning rebukes from the judge for straying off topic — before finding her footing in cross-examination. —Jonah E. Bromwich, New York Times, 10 May 2024

Stormy Daniels finishes combative cross-examination Donald Trump stormed out of the courtroom on Thursday blasting Judge Juan Merchan, who refused to modify his gag order in a New York hush money trial so that Trump could respond to the testimony from adult film star Stormy Daniels. —Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 10 May 2024

Testimony resumes Friday morning with the cross-examination of former White House aide Madeleine Westerhout, whose testimony began Thursday. —Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 9 May 2024

On cross-examination, Trump attorney Susan Necheles chipped away at some of her story, trying to portray her as a greedy fabulist. —Peter Grier, The Christian Science Monitor, 9 May 2024

The witness, David Pecker, who has known the former president for decades, faced a stern cross-examination from Mr. Trump’s defense lawyer, Emil Bove. —Jonah E. Bromwich, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2024

The prosecution may choose to ask David Pecker some further questions after the cross-examination. —Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 26 Apr. 2024

The Court of Appeals also overturned Burke’s ruling that would have allowed prosecutors to use 28 incidents of bullying or abusive behavior on cross-examination, had Weinstein taken the stand in his own defense. —Gene Maddaus, Variety, 26 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1707, in the meaning defined above

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