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• witness-box
  witness-box

  noun

  witness stand.
• witness box
  witness box

  noun

  the place in a court of law in which witnesses stand to give evidence

witness-box

American  

[wit-nis-boks] / ˈwɪt nɪsˌbɒks /

noun

Chiefly British.

1. witness stand.

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witness box British  

noun

1. the place in a court of law in which witnesses stand to give evidence

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Etymology

Origin of witness-box

First recorded in 1800–10

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

witness-box witness box

Every character is part of a carefully arranged witness-box cast, and the arrangement is too deliberate ly designed to give both sides of the story.

From Time Magazine Archive

His handling of his client in the witness-box had been masterly.

From "And Then There Were None" by Agatha Christie

A bit late now, I think, but only because he’s down there and I’m up here, in the safety of the witness-box.

From "I Am the Messenger" by Markus Zusak

She would be spared the public trial, the ordeal of the witness-box, the shame of open confession.

From Starvecrow Farm by Weyman, Stanley J.

Broderick's seat beneath the rostrum commanded both the witness-box and Mrs. Balfame.

From Mrs. Balfame A Novel by Atherton, Gertrude Franklin Horn

Prince Harry flew in to give evidence in person, spending two hours in the witness box.

From BBC ● Mar. 31, 2026

Actor Liz Hurley on Thursday broke down in tears in the witness box of London's High Court as she accused a tabloid publisher of "monstrous" conduct including planting secret microphones on her home windows.

From Barron's ● Jan. 22, 2026

His successful court battle against the Mirror was huge news in itself, as the biggest royal appearance in a witness box of modern times.

From BBC ● Jan. 17, 2026

Later, Mr McCann spoke from the witness box and told of the phone repeatedly ringing.

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2025

Kaelin sits in the witness box, with a vacant look on his face.

From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell