evidentiary

adjective

ev·​i·​den·​tia·​ry ˌe-və-ˈden-chə-rē How to pronounce evidentiary (audio)
-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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This level of tamper-evidence deters bad actors and restores evidentiary confidence. Jason Crawforth, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025 Most judges cannot accommodate an evidentiary hearing the same day. Wendy Hickey, Boston Herald, 22 June 2025 While search operations continue around the clock, CCSO Detectives are further developing the criminal case, conducting follow up interviews, processing evidence, and reviewing data and analysis from evidentiary items sent to the crime lab for processing. Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025 Her fantastical claims will be swiftly debunked as discovery moves forward, easily disproved with actual, evidentiary proof. Benjamin Vanhoose, People.com, 12 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for evidentiary

Word History

First Known Use

1780, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of evidentiary was in 1780

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Evidentiary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/evidentiary. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

Legal Definition

evidentiary

adjective
ev·​i·​den·​tia·​ry ˌe-və-ˈden-chə-rē, -chē-ˌer-ē How to pronounce evidentiary (audio)
1
: being, relating to, or affording evidence
photographs of evidentiary value
2
: conducted so that evidence may be presented
an evidentiary hearing
evidentiarily adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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