hearsay evidence

American  

noun

Law.

1. testimony based on what a witness has heard from another person rather than on direct personal knowledge or experience.

---

hearsay evidence British  

noun

1. law evidence based on what has been reported to a witness by others rather than what he has himself observed or experienced (not generally admissible as evidence)

---

Etymology

Origin of hearsay evidence

First recorded in 1745–55

Example Sentences

More liberal rules allowing hearsay evidence allowed lawyers for the Brown and Goldman families to use excerpts from the Nicole’s diaries.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2024

The judge is hearing from witnesses as he weighs what hearsay evidence can be used against the defendant, Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, who is accused of plotting the bombing of the warship in Oct.

From New York Times • Apr. 28, 2023

The DPP said that testimony given by Det Ch Insp Neil Hibberd on the arrest and crucial shoe-print evidence that linked Ali Kololo to the scene of the crime was "purely hearsay evidence".

From BBC • Feb. 24, 2023

“It is highly irresponsible to make sensational remarks based on hearsay evidence and certain individual’s conjecture,” Wang said.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 14, 2022

In giving hearsay evidence, for example, he may suggest a new and important witness of whom the counsel for the other side would not otherwise have heard, and who can then be brought into court.

From The Shadow On The Dial, and Other Essays 1909 by Howes, S. O. (Silas Orrin)