Hearsay
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /ˈhɪəseɪ/ · Part of speech noun
Quick meaning: Hearsay is a noun meaning Information that was heard by one person about another that cannot be adequately substantiated.
Meaning
Information that was heard by one person about another that cannot be adequately substantiated.
More Meanings
- (law) Evidence based on the reports of others, which is normally inadmissible because it was not made under oath, rather than on personal knowledge.
- (law) An out-of-court statement offered in court to prove the truth of the matter asserted (or the in-court testimony which recites such a statement), which is normally inadmissible (because it is not subject to cross-examination) unless it falls under one of a number of exceptions.
Example Sentences
dismiss hearsay
based on hearsay
The judge ruled the testimony as mere hearsay.
The story turned out to be nothing but hearsay.
Word Forms
- hearsays
Synonyms for hearsay
Depending on context, synonyms include gossip, report, rumor, rumour.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include rumor, rumour, report, reputation, admission, gossip.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.