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 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

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hearsay evidence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 19 Mar. 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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