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

But Roman says that in cross-examination, the defense used the same searches to highlight their argument that Clancy was overmedicated, failed by the medical system, and experiencing postpartum psychosis at the time. — Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026

Her attorney, Kevin Reddington, did not challenge the authenticity of the notes or question who wrote them during his cross-examination. — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026

Zuckerman said Monday’s cross-examination helped the defense by supplying testimony that Clancy could appear lucid at some moments while experiencing severe psychiatric symptoms at others. — Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2026

During cross-examination, Burke’s defense attorney questioned whether the autopsy alone could determine who inflicted the fatal wounds. — Danielle Bacher, PEOPLE, 29 July 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