voir dire

noun

ˈvwär-ˈdir 

ˈwär-

: a preliminary examination to determine the competency of a witness or juror

Examples of voir dire in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That’s why voir dire in this case will be lengthy and strategic. —Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 5 May 2025

The potential panelists who made it to this voir dire stage are a subset of the some 600 prospects who filled out questionnaires. —Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 5 May 2025

The prosecution and defense have agreed on large portions of the voir dire process, with disputes over wording mostly resolved and consented to on both sides. —Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 May 2025

The voir dire process involves two types of dismissals – so-called for cause dismissals and peremptory strikes. —Sandra Gonzalez, CNN Money, 4 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Anglo-French, literally, to speak the truth

First Known Use

1676, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

voir dire

1 of 2 noun

ˈvwär-ˈdir, ˈwär- 

: a formal examination especially to determine qualification (as of a proposed witness)

the judge admitted the witness's expert testimony after a voir dire by the attorney

especially : the act or process of questioning prospective jurors to determine which are qualified (as by freedom from bias) and suited for service on a jury

voir dire

2 of 2 transitive verb

voir dired; voir diring

: to examine in a voir dire proceeding

a motion to voir dire the witness outside the presence of the jury

voir diring prospective jurors as to their beliefs concerning the death penalty

—State v. Ortiz, 540 P.2d 850 (1975) (concur)

Etymology

Anglo-French, to speak the truth