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

Donald Trump's hush-money trial May 9 May 13 May 14 May 16 May 20: Michael Cohen back on the stand Former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen returned to the witness stand on Monday for more cross-examination. —Jennifer Borresen, USA TODAY, 21 May 2024

Michael Cohen continues his testimony into a second week Trump lawyer Todd Blanche on Monday morning picked up his cross-examination from last week by questioning whether Cohen would have had a legal retainer to perform legal work for Trump, his family and his organization. —Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 20 May 2024

May 20, 7:49 AM Defense says Cohen's repayment was for legitimate legal expense Throughout his cross-examination this morning, defense attorney Todd Blanche has attempted to legitimize the repayment arrangement between Trump and Cohen in 2017. —Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 20 May 2024

During Monday’s cross-examination, Mr. Trump’s lead lawyer assailed Mr. Cohen’s credibility, painting him as a pathological liar obsessed with taking down the former president. —Maggie Haberman, New York Times, 20 May 2024

He's already faced seven hours of withering cross-examination depicting him as a frequent liar who is obsessed with Trump and determined to make money off the cases against him. —Graham Kates, CBS News, 20 May 2024

Meanwhile, the trial is expected to resume on Monday with continued cross-examination of the prosecution’s star witness, former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen. —Brooke Singman, Fox News, 17 May 2024

O’Connor’s defense attorney at the time balked at the move, noting that grand jury hearings only hear prosecution evidence without cross-examination. —Caelyn Pender, The Mercury News, 10 May 2024

During combative cross-examination, Trump’s lawyers sought to paint Daniels as a liar and extortionist who’s trying to take down the former president after drawing money and fame from her claims. —Jake Offenhartz, Fortune, 10 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1707, in the meaning defined above

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