direct examination

noun

: the first examination of a witness by the party calling the witness compare cross-examination

Examples of direct examination in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Ian Whiffin from Cellebrite takes stand Earlier, Whiffin was asked on direct examination about Apple Health data and other information from the family's home from the night the children were killed. — Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026

Reddington finished direct examination shortly before 12 pm ET. — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 17 Aug. 2026

On a brief direct examination by Angels attorney Daniel Dutko, Hetman was questioned about the criminal trial, in which Leanos was asked about being a potential source of the fentanyl by Kay’s attorneys. — Sam Blum, New York Times, 9 Dec. 2025

During direct examination by his own attorney, Jordan will also deliver the central thesis of 23XI and Front Row’s case against NASCAR. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 5 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1859, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for direct examination

• americanization
• anticoagulation
• antidiscrimination
• bioaccumulation
• bioremediation
• compartmentalization
• contextualization
• copolymerization
• decriminalization
• dehumidification
• demilitarization
• demineralization

Legal Definition

direct examination

noun

: the first examination of a witness by the party calling the witness compare cross-examination, redirect examination

Note: As a general rule, leading questions are not allowed on direct examination, but there are exceptions, as when the witness is shown to be hostile.