burden of proof

American  

noun

1. Chiefly Law. the obligation to offer evidence that the court or jury could reasonably believe, in support of a contention, failing which the case will be lost.

2. the obligation to establish a contention as fact by evoking evidence of its probable truth.

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burden of proof British  

noun

1. law the obligation, in criminal cases resting initially on the prosecution, to provide evidence that will convince the court or jury of the truth of one's contention

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burden of proof Idioms  

1. Obligation of proving a disputed charge or allegation. For example, Are you sure you mailed the tax return on time? The burden of proof's on you. A legal term dating from the late 1500s, it has also been used more loosely in recent times.

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Etymology

Origin of burden of proof

First recorded in 1585–95

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

burden of proof

“The Court finds that Petitioner has met the burden of proof by preponderance of the evidence,” Judge Esther P. Kim wrote in her ruling, which was issued the next day.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 10, 2026

And on each of Pike’s claims, Ward offered the same summary conclusion that she had not met her burden of proof.

From Slate ● Aug. 25, 2026

It adds to a growing list of topping signals, so I think at this point the burden of proof is with the bulls and caution is warranted,” Thomas said.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 30, 2026

For children, teenagers and college-age athletes, the burden of proof should be on those who insist repetitive head impacts are safe.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 19, 2026

Hence, it is the presumption of common sense and science that these ESP phenomena don’t exist, and the burden of proof is on those who maintain that there are such phenomena.

From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos

Related Words

• onus