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hearsay evidence
noun
: evidence based not on a witness's personal knowledge but on another's statement not made under oath
Examples of hearsay evidence in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Whitaker was visibly frustrated while making these statements due to Love introducing hearsay evidence while questioning a witness.
—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 1 Oct. 2024
And unlike in most normal U.S. court proceedings, the government can also present hearsay evidence against the fugitive.
—Alex Riggins, The Mercury News, 28 June 2024
More liberal rules allowing hearsay evidence allowed lawyers for the Brown and Goldman families to use excerpts from Nicole’s diaries.
—Elaine Woo, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024
Heather Honey, who owns a Pennsylvania company that worked on the state senate’s partisan election audit last year, testified about her failure to obtain public records and introduced hearsay evidence from affidavits.
—Ray Stern, USA TODAY, 25 Dec. 2022
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Word History
First Known Use
1753, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near hearsay evidence
Cite this Entry
“Hearsay evidence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hearsay%20evidence. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
hearsay evidence
noun
: a statement made out of court and not under oath that is offered as proof that what is stated is true
Legal Definition
hearsay evidence
see evidence
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