direct examination

American

noun

Law.

the first interrogation of a witness by the side that has called that witness.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

By combining direct examination with informed reconstruction, they mapped out how nerves, blood vessels, and air passages likely fit inside the skull.

From Science Daily • Feb. 22, 2026

This direct examination allowed them to see how diabetes influences heart biology in real human patients rather than relying solely on animal models.

From Science Daily • Jan. 4, 2026

Earlier in direct examination, prosecutor Susan Hoffinger asked Cohen about his years of loyalty for Trump that ended in a federal prison sentence and emotional and personal pain.

From Salon • May 14, 2024

We can expect Cohen to be an effective witness during direct examination, as he was in his 2019 testimony to Congress about the scheme.

From Slate • May 8, 2024

I had done the direct examination of all of the witnesses and was surprised when I realized that it was already 5:00 p.m.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023