voir dire
noun
ˈvwär-ˈdir 
ˈwär-
: a preliminary examination to determine the competency of a witness or juror
Examples of voir dire in a Sentence
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During a voir dire hearing on Wednesday over a Canada Evidence Act application by the Crown seeking to cross-examine Howden, prosecutors and the defense argued over Howden’s truthfulness on the stand.
—
Dan Robson, New York Times, 22 May 2025
The voir dire of these witnesses was to determine the scope of their testimonies.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 18 June 2024
That’s why voir dire in this case will be lengthy and strategic.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 5 May 2025
The potential panelists who made it to this voir dire stage are a subset of the some 600 prospects who filled out questionnaires.
—Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 5 May 2025
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Dan Robson, New York Times, 22 May 2025
The voir dire of these witnesses was to determine the scope of their testimonies.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 18 June 2024
That’s why voir dire in this case will be lengthy and strategic.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 5 May 2025
The potential panelists who made it to this voir dire stage are a subset of the some 600 prospects who filled out questionnaires.
—Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for voir dire
Cite this Entry
“Voir dire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/voir%20dire. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
voir dire
1 of 2 noun
: a formal examination especially to determine qualification (as of a proposed witness)
the judge admitted the witness's expert testimony after a voir dire by the attorney
especially
: the act or process of questioning prospective jurors to determine which are qualified (as by freedom from bias) and suited for service on a jury
voir dire
2 of 2 transitive verb
voir dired; voir diring
: to examine in a voir dire proceeding
a motion to voir dire the witness outside the presence of the jury
voir diring prospective jurors as to their beliefs concerning the death penalty—State v. Ortiz, 540 P.2d 850 (1975) (concur)
State v. Ortiz, 540 P.2d 850 (1975) (concur)Etymology
Anglo-French, to speak the truth
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