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

Glasner said the organization hopes the case can now move into the discovery phase before an evidentiary hearing. — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2026

Those are some of the striking examples of observational register, one that uses tactical distance, sound, slowness and associative montage to convey pain without resorting to the evidentiary shock of graphic imagery. — Sonya Vseliubska, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2026

Judge Nicholas Lienesch determined there is probable cause to believe Lindell violated Minnesota campaign law, and the case will move forward to a panel of three administrative law judges and an evidentiary hearing. — Aki Nace, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026

The evidentiary rules and the common law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts clearly permitted that medical evidence to be presented, and yet it was blocked. — Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 6 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