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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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

Word History

First Known Use

1753, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hearsay evidence was in 1753

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 23 Dec. 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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