direct examination

noun

: the first examination of a witness by the party calling the witness compare cross-examination

Examples of direct examination in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

David James, Combs’ executive personal assistant from May 2007 to May 2009, also testified during his direct examination on Monday, that Ventura made similar comments to him. —Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2025

The prosecution finished direct examination of Cassie Wednesday. —Tracy Wright , Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2025

Prosecutors said their direct examination took less than two days, probably only a day and a half. —Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 15 May 2025

The revelation came during direct examination by federal prosecutor Emily Johnson. —Elizabeth Rosner, People.com, 14 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1859, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for direct examination

• americanization
• anticoagulation
• antidiscrimination
• bioaccumulation
• bioremediation
• compartmentalization
• contextualization
• copolymerization
• decriminalization
• dehumidification
• demilitarization
• demineralization

Legal Definition

direct examination

noun

: the first examination of a witness by the party calling the witness compare cross-examination, redirect examination

Note: As a general rule, leading questions are not allowed on direct examination, but there are exceptions, as when the witness is shown to be hostile.