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

The research offers a first direct examination of how various microplastics affect the human gut microbiome. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2025

During her direct examination, Dever testified that Cox called her into his office and that the commissioner told her the department would support her and to tell the truth. —Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025

At the end of her direct examination on day three of the trial, Ventura revealed for the first time that Combs paid her $20 million in her November 2023 settlement. —Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 July 2025

That left the defense to call them and the defense did not want to do direct examinations on these individuals. —Elise Hammond, CNN Money, 19 June 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.