evidentiary

adjective

ev·​i·​den·​tia·​ry ˌe-və-ˈden-chə-rē 

-chē-ˌer-ē

1

: being, relating to, or affording evidence

photographs of evidentiary value

2

: conducted so that evidence may be presented

an evidentiary hearing

Examples of evidentiary in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The matter is now in the hands of SEIU International, whose president, April Verrett, can appoint an officer to oversee evidentiary hearings on the allegations. — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Diamond began in May to hold evidentiary hearings that included testimony about potential conflicts of interest within the DA's office. — Eva Andersen, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2026

Because the decree neither names specific enterprises, countries, territories or treaties nor defines risk triggers and evidentiary requirements, the rule’s real-world implementation will require further guidance. — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026

That work feeds federal and state threat assessments, informs social media platforms on how to identify extremist users and content, shapes prevention programs and supplies the evidentiary basis for prosecutions and congressional oversight. — Arie Perliger, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1780, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for evidentiary

• plenipotentiary

Legal Definition

evidentiary

adjective

ev·​i·​den·​tia·​ry ˌe-və-ˈden-chə-rē, -chē-ˌer-ē 

1

: being, relating to, or affording evidence

photographs of evidentiary value

2

: conducted so that evidence may be presented

an evidentiary hearing

evidentiarily adverb