evidence

noun

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ev·i·dence | \ ˈe-və-dən(t)s

, -və-ˌden(t)s \

Definition of evidence

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : an outward sign : indication

b : something that furnishes proof : testimony specifically : something legally submitted to a tribunal to ascertain the truth of a matter

2 : one who bears witness especially : one who voluntarily confesses a crime and testifies for the prosecution against one's accomplices

in evidence

1 : to be seen : conspicuous trim lawns … are everywhere in evidence — Amer. Guide Series: N.C.

2 : as evidence

evidence

verb

evidenced; evidencing

Definition of evidence (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to offer evidence of : prove, evince

Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Phrases Containing evidence Learn More About evidence

Choose the Right Synonym for evidence

Verb

show, manifest, evidence, evince, demonstrate mean to reveal outwardly or make apparent. show is the general term but sometimes implies that what is revealed must be gained by inference from acts, looks, or words. careful not to show his true feelings manifest implies a plainer, more immediate revelation. manifested musical ability at an early age evidence suggests serving as proof of the actuality or existence of something. a commitment evidenced by years of loyal service evince implies a showing by outward marks or signs. evinced not the slightest fear demonstrate implies showing by action or by display of feeling. demonstrated their approval by loud applause

Examples of evidence in a Sentence

Noun There is no evidence that these devices actually work. He has been unable to find evidence to support his theory. Investigators could find no evidence linking him to the crime. The jury had a great deal of evidence to sort through before reaching a verdict. There is not a scrap of evidence in her favor. Anything you say may be used as evidence against you. See More

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Flores-Williams argued that the government had no hard evidence: no DNA, no photos of Wall. — Karina Elwood, Washington Post, 14 May 2022 Lyrics from multiple music videos are cited as evidence in the indictment, in which alleged YSL members are accused of committing crimes for the protection and promotion of the group. — Janine Henni, PEOPLE.com, 11 May 2022 That increasingly jumpy VCs played a key role in ousting the boorish Kalanick is only further evidence (for Mallaby) of the utility of VC. — Kim Phillips-fein, The New Republic, 11 May 2022 Document evidence of a positive Covid-19 test—even an at-home rapid antigen test—and make sure your doctor puts it into your medical chart. — Sumathi Reddy, WSJ, 9 May 2022 Powell also noted the central bank doesn’t see evidence of inflation spiraling out of control, which would require the Fed to raise interest rates even faster to tamp down on higher prices. — Nate Dicamillo, Quartz, 4 May 2022 The prosecution’s key evidence, a graphic 81-second videotape taken by plumber George Holliday from his apartment balcony, shows Powell and Wind kicking and hitting King with their batons more than 50 times. — San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2022 Alternative medicine has little, if any, evidence of efficacy and may cause harm. — Elizabeth Millard, Time, 27 Apr. 2022 But there’s decent evidence that the thing TikTok calls coastal grandmother exists by other names outside of our phones. — Glamour, 26 Apr. 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb How these brands evidence their protest is as varied as the companies themselves. — Simon Mainwaring, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2022 Presumably there is a 24 YO in the works that will evidence a similar DNA. — Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2021 But would evidence obtained through genetic genealogy be allowed in court? — CBS News, 20 Nov. 2021 The agreement expands Boeing’s presence in a market dominated by Airbus, and adds to evidence the narrow-body workhorse is rebounding from groundings caused by two deadly crashes. — BostonGlobe.com, 18 Nov. 2021 It is expected to evidence a sharp deceleration from the robust second-quarter growth with supply chain disruptions and the Delta variant weighing on activity. — Bill Stone, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2021 If so, what metrics are being used to evidence the objectives? — Robert G. Eccles, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2021 Prosecutors did point to evidence the government said showed fraud. — Washington Post, 6 July 2021 Negative outcomes are not necessarily predictable from prior experimentation, and clinical trials cannot be wholly relied upon to evidence low-incidence adverse events. — Nicolas Noulin, Scientific American, 5 May 2021 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'evidence.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries Near evidence

evictee

evidence

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Last Updated

18 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Evidence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/evidence. Accessed 20 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for evidence

evidence

noun

ev·i·dence | \ ˈe-və-dəns

Kids Definition of evidence

1 : a sign which shows that something exists or is true : indication They found evidence of a robbery.

2 : material presented to a court to help find the truth about something

evidence

noun

ev·i·dence | \ ˈe-və-dəns, -ˌdens

Legal Definition of evidence

(Entry 1 of 2)

: something that furnishes or tends to furnish proof especially : something (as testimony, writings, or objects) presented at a judicial or administrative proceeding for the purpose of establishing the truth or falsity of an alleged matter of fact — see also admissible, best evidence rule, exclusionary rule, exhibit, foundation, objection, preponderance of the evidence, relevant, scintilla, state's evidence, suppress, testimony, witness, Federal Rules of Evidence — compare allegation, argument, proof

— best evidence

: evidence that is the most reliable and most direct in relationship to what it is offered to prove — see also best evidence rule

— character evidence

: evidence of a particular human trait (as honesty or peacefulness) of a party or witness — see also character witness at witness

Note: Under the Federal Rules of Evidence, character evidence generally may not be used to prove that a person acted in accordance with that character. It is admissible for that purpose, however, if a criminal defendant offers it about himself or herself or about the victim, or if the prosecution offers evidence to rebut the defendant's evidence in either of those circumstances. The prosecution may also rebut a claim of self-defense by presenting evidence of the peaceful character of the victim. Additionally, the character of a witness with regard to truthfulness may be attacked or supported by opinion or by evidence of reputation.

— circumstantial evidence

: evidence that tends to prove a factual matter by proving other events or circumstances from which the occurrence of the matter at issue can be reasonably inferred — compare direct evidence in this entry

— clear and convincing evidence

: evidence showing a high probability of truth of the factual matter at issue — compare preponderance of the evidence, reasonable doubt

— communicative evidence \ kə-ˈmyü-nə-kə-tiv-, -ˌkā-tiv- \

: testimonial evidence in this entry

— competent evidence

: evidence that is admissible, relevant, and material to the factual matter at issue

— corroborating evidence

: evidence that is independent of and different from but that supplements and strengthens evidence already presented as proof of a factual matter

— called also corroborative evidence

— compare cumulative evidence in this entry

— cumulative evidence

: evidence that is of the same kind as evidence already offered as proof of the same factual matter — compare corroborating evidence in this entry

— demonstrative evidence

: evidence in the form of objects (as maps, diagrams, or models) that has in itself no probative value but is used to illustrate and clarify the factual matter at issue broadly : physical evidence in this entry

— called also illustrative evidence

— derivative evidence

: evidence obtained as a result of the unlawful gathering of primary evidence

— called also indirect evidence, secondary evidence

— see also fruit of the poisonous tree

— direct evidence

: evidence that if believed immediately establishes the factual matter to be proved by it without the need for inferences especially : evidence of a factual matter offered by a witness whose knowledge of the matter was obtained through the use of his or her senses (as sight or hearing) — compare circumstantial evidence in this entry

— evidence in chief

: evidence that is to be used by a party in making its case in chief

— exculpatory evidence

: evidence that tends to clear a defendant from fault or guilt — see also brady material

Note: The prosecution in a criminal case is obligated to disclose to the defense any exculpatory evidence in its possession.

— extrinsic evidence

1 : evidence regarding an agreement that is not included in the written version of the agreement

Note: A court may use extrinsic evidence to make sense of an ambiguity in a writing subject to some limitations.

2 : evidence about a witness's character obtained from the testimony of other witnesses rather than from cross-examination of the witness himself or herself

Note: A witness may not be impeached by the use of extrinsic evidence.

— hearsay evidence

: a statement made out of court and not under oath and offered in evidence as proof that what is stated is true : hearsay

— illustrative evidence

: demonstrative evidence in this entry

— impeachment evidence

: evidence that may be used to impeach a witness because it tends to harm the witness's credibility

— indirect evidence

: derivative evidence in this entry

— intrinsic evidence

: evidence that exists within a writing the will contains ample intrinsic evidence of the testator's intent — Stoner v. Custer, 251 N.E.2d 668 (1968) — compare extrinsic evidence in this entry

— material evidence

: evidence that is likely to affect the determination of a matter or issue specifically : evidence that warrants reopening of a claim or reversal of a conviction because but for the circumstance that the evidence was unavailable the outcome of the first proceeding would have been different

— no evidence

: evidence presented that is insufficient to prove a matter of especially vital fact : a point of error that insufficient evidence has been presented to support a finding

— parol evidence

: evidence of matters spoken (as an oral agreement) that are related to but not included in a writing — see also parol evidence rule

— physical evidence

: tangible evidence (as a weapon, document, or visible injury) that is in some way related to the incident that gave rise to the case

— called also real evidence

— compare demonstrative evidence and testimonial evidence in this entry

— presumptive evidence

: prima facie evidence in this entry

— prima facie evidence

: evidence that is sufficient to prove a factual matter at issue and justify a favorable judgment on that issue unless rebutted

— primary evidence

1 : best evidence in this entry

2 : evidence obtained as a direct result of an unlawful search

— real evidence

: physical evidence in this entry

— rebuttal evidence

: evidence that tends to refute or discredit an opponent's evidence

— relevant evidence

: evidence that tends to prove or disprove any issue of fact that is of consequence to the case

— secondary evidence

: derivative evidence in this entry

— substantial evidence

: evidence greater than a scintilla of evidence that a reasonable person would find sufficient to support a conclusion

— substantive evidence

: evidence offered to prove a factual issue rather than merely for impeachment

— testimonial evidence

: evidence given in writing or speech or in another way that expresses the person's thoughts — compare physical evidence in this entry

Note: Only testimonial evidence is protected by the Fifth Amendment's privilege against self-incrimination.

in evidence

: as evidence introduced a letter in evidence

evidence

transitive verb

evidenced; evidencing

Legal Definition of evidence (Entry 2 of 2)

: to provide evidence of

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evidence

Definition of evidence

Synonyms & Antonyms for evidence

Choose the Right Synonym for evidence

Examples of evidence in a Sentence

First Known Use of evidence

Learn More About evidence

Dictionary Entries Near evidence

Statistics for evidence

Kids Definition of evidence

Legal Definition of evidence

WORD OF THE DAY

ad hoc

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evidence

Definition of evidence

Synonyms & Antonyms for evidence

Choose the Right Synonym for evidence

Examples of evidence in a Sentence

Phrases Containing evidence

First Known Use of evidence

Learn More About evidence

The first known use of evidence was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near evidence

Statistics for evidence

Kids Definition of evidence

Legal Definition of evidence

WORD OF THE DAY

ad hoc

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