evidence

noun

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ev·i·dence | \ ˈe-və-dən(t)s

, -və-ˌden(t)s \

Definition of evidence

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : an outward sign : indication

b : something that furnishes proof : testimony specifically : something legally submitted to a tribunal to ascertain the truth of a matter

2 : one who bears witness especially : one who voluntarily confesses a crime and testifies for the prosecution against one's accomplices

in evidence

1 : to be seen : conspicuous trim lawns … are everywhere in evidence — Amer. Guide Series: N.C.

2 : as evidence

evidence

verb

evidenced; evidencing

Definition of evidence (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to offer evidence of : prove, evince

Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More About evidence

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Choose the Right Synonym for evidence

Verb

show, manifest, evidence, evince, demonstrate mean to reveal outwardly or make apparent. show is the general term but sometimes implies that what is revealed must be gained by inference from acts, looks, or words. careful not to show his true feelings manifest implies a plainer, more immediate revelation. manifested musical ability at an early age evidence suggests serving as proof of the actuality or existence of something. a commitment evidenced by years of loyal service evince implies a showing by outward marks or signs. evinced not the slightest fear demonstrate implies showing by action or by display of feeling. demonstrated their approval by loud applause

Examples of evidence in a Sentence

Noun There is no evidence that these devices actually work. He has been unable to find evidence to support his theory. Investigators could find no evidence linking him to the crime. The jury had a great deal of evidence to sort through before reaching a verdict. There is not a scrap of evidence in her favor. Anything you say may be used as evidence against you.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun What evidence are vaccine makers giving federal regulators to support the idea that an additional shot is needed? — al, 19 Aug. 2021 And yet the evidence is just as glaring that the universal values that underpin the tattered and retreating – some even say finished – seven-decade-old Pax Americana remain inexorable motivators of the human spirit. — Howard Lafranchi, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Aug. 2021 On top of that, the evidence required to prove an injury is harder to pin down. — Karen Kaplan Science And Medicine Editor, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2021 If the evidence was good, the mystery could be solved. — Reeves Wiedeman, Vulture, 17 Aug. 2021 The only evidence of the catch were grainy newspaper photos and artist renderings. — BostonGlobe.com, 14 Aug. 2021 By the time the detective confirmed all the evidence was available, at 9:50 a.m. Thursday according to police, the district attorney's office had to file a motion of continuance. — Fox News, 14 Aug. 2021 Before the delta variant emerged, scientists had compiled evidence that outdoor transmission was far less risky than indoor transmission — in fact, 20 times less risky, Chin-Hong said. — Michael Cabanatuan, San Francisco Chronicle, 13 Aug. 2021 The evidence is clear that, for the majority of workers in most industries, working from home doesn’t work. — Mimi Nguyen, Time, 13 Aug. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Prosecutors did point to evidence the government said showed fraud. — Washington Post, 6 July 2021 Negative outcomes are not necessarily predictable from prior experimentation, and clinical trials cannot be wholly relied upon to evidence low-incidence adverse events. — Nicolas Noulin, Scientific American, 5 May 2021 To evidence significant public benefit, the rule lays out specific criteria to be met for the initial 30-month parole period, and then there are additional milestones to be proven related to the second 30-month re-parole period. — Yec, Forbes, 7 June 2021 Any of these implications seems to evidence a lack of confidence in the American justice system. — Arkansas Online, 25 Apr. 2021 On top of that, there’s also evidence the suspect violently handled the animals as feathers were found spread around the store and one bird was discovered dead, WKMG reported. — Joe Mario Pedersen, orlandosentinel.com, 2 Nov. 2020 The update adds to evidence the plane maker has fended off the worst impact of the aviation crisis, even as virus cases surge in the U.S. and Europe. — Thomas Buckley, Bloomberg.com, 29 Oct. 2020 The model features a number of archaeological sites, including Chiquihuite cave, which are intriguing but controversial enough, as experts disagree whether the sites actually evidence human occupation. — Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 July 2020 But in sharply limiting people’s activity, the orders have left still-deepening scars on the economy, evidenced in part by unprecedented jobless claims and shuttering businesses. — Dominic Fracassa, SFChronicle.com, 27 Apr. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'evidence.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries Near evidence

evictee

evidence

evidency

Statistics for evidence

Last Updated

22 Aug 2021

Cite this Entry

“Evidence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/evidence. Accessed 29 Aug. 2021.

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More Definitions for evidence

evidence

noun

English Language Learners Definition of evidence

(Entry 1 of 2)

: something which shows that something else exists or is true

chiefly US, somewhat formal : a visible sign of something

: material that is presented to a court of law to help find the truth about something

evidence

verb

English Language Learners Definition of evidence (Entry 2 of 2)

formal : to offer or show evidence of (something) : to show or indicate (something)

See the full definition for evidence in the English Language Learners Dictionary

evidence

noun

ev·i·dence | \ ˈe-və-dəns

Kids Definition of evidence

1 : a sign which shows that something exists or is true : indication They found evidence of a robbery.

2 : material presented to a court to help find the truth about something

evidence

noun

ev·i·dence | \ ˈe-və-dəns, -ˌdens

Legal Definition of evidence

(Entry 1 of 2)

: something that furnishes or tends to furnish proof especially : something (as testimony, writings, or objects) presented at a judicial or administrative proceeding for the purpose of establishing the truth or falsity of an alleged matter of fact — see also admissible, best evidence rule, exclusionary rule, exhibit, foundation, objection, preponderance of the evidence, relevant, scintilla, state's evidence, suppress, testimony, witness, Federal Rules of Evidence — compare allegation, argument, proof

— best evidence

: evidence that is the most reliable and most direct in relationship to what it is offered to prove — see also best evidence rule

— character evidence

: evidence of a particular human trait (as honesty or peacefulness) of a party or witness — see also character witness at witness

Note: Under the Federal Rules of Evidence, character evidence generally may not be used to prove that a person acted in accordance with that character. It is admissible for that purpose, however, if a criminal defendant offers it about himself or herself or about the victim, or if the prosecution offers evidence to rebut the defendant's evidence in either of those circumstances. The prosecution may also rebut a claim of self-defense by presenting evidence of the peaceful character of the victim. Additionally, the character of a witness with regard to truthfulness may be attacked or supported by opinion or by evidence of reputation.

— circumstantial evidence

: evidence that tends to prove a factual matter by proving other events or circumstances from which the occurrence of the matter at issue can be reasonably inferred — compare direct evidence in this entry

— clear and convincing evidence

: evidence showing a high probability of truth of the factual matter at issue — compare preponderance of the evidence, reasonable doubt

— communicative evidence \ kə-ˈmyü-nə-kə-tiv-, -ˌkā-tiv- \

: testimonial evidence in this entry

— competent evidence

: evidence that is admissible, relevant, and material to the factual matter at issue

— corroborating evidence

: evidence that is independent of and different from but that supplements and strengthens evidence already presented as proof of a factual matter

— called also corroborative evidence

— compare cumulative evidence in this entry

— cumulative evidence

: evidence that is of the same kind as evidence already offered as proof of the same factual matter — compare corroborating evidence in this entry

— demonstrative evidence

: evidence in the form of objects (as maps, diagrams, or models) that has in itself no probative value but is used to illustrate and clarify the factual matter at issue broadly : physical evidence in this entry

— called also illustrative evidence

— derivative evidence

: evidence obtained as a result of the unlawful gathering of primary evidence

— called also indirect evidence, secondary evidence

— see also fruit of the poisonous tree

— direct evidence

: evidence that if believed immediately establishes the factual matter to be proved by it without the need for inferences especially : evidence of a factual matter offered by a witness whose knowledge of the matter was obtained through the use of his or her senses (as sight or hearing) — compare circumstantial evidence in this entry

— evidence in chief

: evidence that is to be used by a party in making its case in chief

— exculpatory evidence

: evidence that tends to clear a defendant from fault or guilt — see also brady material

Note: The prosecution in a criminal case is obligated to disclose to the defense any exculpatory evidence in its possession.

— extrinsic evidence

1 : evidence regarding an agreement that is not included in the written version of the agreement

Note: A court may use extrinsic evidence to make sense of an ambiguity in a writing subject to some limitations.

2 : evidence about a witness's character obtained from the testimony of other witnesses rather than from cross-examination of the witness himself or herself

Note: A witness may not be impeached by the use of extrinsic evidence.

— hearsay evidence

: a statement made out of court and not under oath and offered in evidence as proof that what is stated is true : hearsay

— illustrative evidence

: demonstrative evidence in this entry

— impeachment evidence

: evidence that may be used to impeach a witness because it tends to harm the witness's credibility

— indirect evidence

: derivative evidence in this entry

— intrinsic evidence

: evidence that exists within a writing the will contains ample intrinsic evidence of the testator's intent — Stoner v. Custer, 251 N.E.2d 668 (1968) — compare extrinsic evidence in this entry

— material evidence

: evidence that is likely to affect the determination of a matter or issue specifically : evidence that warrants reopening of a claim or reversal of a conviction because but for the circumstance that the evidence was unavailable the outcome of the first proceeding would have been different

— no evidence

: evidence presented that is insufficient to prove a matter of especially vital fact : a point of error that insufficient evidence has been presented to support a finding

— parol evidence

: evidence of matters spoken (as an oral agreement) that are related to but not included in a writing — see also parol evidence rule

— physical evidence

: tangible evidence (as a weapon, document, or visible injury) that is in some way related to the incident that gave rise to the case

— called also real evidence

— compare demonstrative evidence and testimonial evidence in this entry

— presumptive evidence

: prima facie evidence in this entry

— prima facie evidence

: evidence that is sufficient to prove a factual matter at issue and justify a favorable judgment on that issue unless rebutted

— primary evidence

1 : best evidence in this entry