cross-examination

noun

cross-ex·​am·​i·​na·​tion ˈkrȯs-ig-ˌza-mə-ˈnā-shən 

: the examination of a witness who has already testified in order to check or discredit the witness's testimony, knowledge, or credibility compare direct examination

cross-examine

ˈkrȯs-ig-ˈza-mən 

verb

cross-examiner

ˈkrȯs-ig-ˈzam-nər, 

-ˈza-mə- 

noun

Examples of cross-examination in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

During cross-examination, attorneys asked Thompson whether the historical data on the devices accounted for thousands of successful trips previously taken through the Cutter Bank channel. —Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 13 June 2026

Defense attorney Michael Burt argued a video deposition of a key witness should not be admissible, as the witness could not be subject to cross-examination. —Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 12 June 2026

Defense attorney Eric Cohen challenged the strength of the prosecution’s deduction during cross-examination of FBI Special Agent Andrew Delvalle. —Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026

While under cross-examination by defense attorney Thomas Mesereau, Arvizo admitted to lying to a teacher when asked if Jackson had abused him in 2003. —Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 9 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1707, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cross-examination

• acclimatisation
• acclimatization
• acidification
• actualization
• annualization
• autocorrelation
• autoregulation
• beatification
• beneficiation
• biodegradation
• biotransformation
• bureaucratization

Legal Definition

cross-examination

noun

: the examination of a witness who has already testified in order to check or discredit the witness's testimony, knowledge, or credibility see also confrontation clause compare direct examination, recross-examination, redirect examination

Note: In accordance with Rule 611 of the Federal Rules of Evidence, cross-examination should only refer to matters that were covered during direct examination or that are relevant to the witness's credibility. Anything exceeding these limits is permissible at the court's discretion. Leading questions are also ordinarily allowed on cross-examination under Rule 611.

cross-examine verb

cross-examiner noun