ev·i·dence
ˈe-və-dən(t)s 
-və-ˌden(t)s
1
a
: an outward sign : indication
b
: something that furnishes proof : testimony
specifically
: something legally submitted to a tribunal to ascertain the truth of a matter
2
: one who bears witness
especially
: one who voluntarily confesses a crime and testifies for the prosecution against one's accomplices
Phrases
in evidence
1
: to be seen : conspicuous
trim lawns … are everywhere in evidence—
Amer. Guide Series: N.C.
Amer. Guide Series: N.C.2
: as evidence
Examples of evidence in a Sentence
Noun
There is no evidence that these devices actually work.
He has been unable to find evidence to support his theory.
Investigators could find no evidence linking him to the crime.
The jury had a great deal of evidence to sort through before reaching a verdict.
There is not a scrap of evidence in her favor.
Anything you say may be used as evidence against you.
Recent Examples on the Web
Moisés Naím, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
Its remarkable age provides unprecedented evidence regarding ancient Scythian culture.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2025
James Powel, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
One way to assess possible malignancy is irregularity of a growth, speed of growth, localized lymph node metastasis as evidenced by enlargement of the nodes, and more but there is no substitute for an FNA or removal and biopsy.
—Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for evidence
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Noun
By early March 2018, the Ministry of Customs and Trade inspectors had enough evidence to show that Farm Bank was a fraudulent enterprise.
—Moisés Naím, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
Its remarkable age provides unprecedented evidence regarding ancient Scythian culture.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2025
Verb
The recall is primarily based on the performance of the rearview camera function on vehicles in thefield as evidenced by the number of reports NHTSA, according to the recall report.
—James Powel, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
One way to assess possible malignancy is irregularity of a growth, speed of growth, localized lymph node metastasis as evidenced by enlargement of the nodes, and more but there is no substitute for an FNA or removal and biopsy.
—Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for evidence
Cite this Entry
“Evidence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/evidence. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
evidence
1 of 2 noun
ev·i·dence
ˈev-əd-ən(t)s
-ə-ˌden(t)s
1
: an outward sign : indication
evidence of the life of ancient people
gave no evidence that he was going to bunt
2
: material presented to a court to help find the truth in a matter
Legal Definition
evidence
1 of 2 noun
ev·i·dence
ˈe-və-dəns, -ˌdens
: something that furnishes or tends to furnish proof
especially
: something (as testimony, writings, or objects) presented at a judicial or administrative proceeding for the purpose of establishing the truth or falsity of an alleged matter of fact see also admissible, best evidence rule, exclusionary rule, exhibit, foundation, objection, preponderance of the evidence, relevant, scintilla, state's evidence, suppress, testimony, witness, Federal Rules of Evidence compare allegation, argument, proof
—
best evidence
: evidence that is the most reliable and most direct in relationship to what it is offered to prove see also best evidence rule
—
character evidence
: evidence of a particular human trait (as honesty or peacefulness) of a party or witness see also character witness at witness
Note: Under the Federal Rules of Evidence, character evidence generally may not be used to prove that a person acted in accordance with that character. It is admissible for that purpose, however, if a criminal defendant offers it about himself or herself or about the victim, or if the prosecution offers evidence to rebut the defendant's evidence in either of those circumstances. The prosecution may also rebut a claim of self-defense by presenting evidence of the peaceful character of the victim. Additionally, the character of a witness with regard to truthfulness may be attacked or supported by opinion or by evidence of reputation.
—
circumstantial evidence
: evidence that tends to prove a factual matter by proving other events or circumstances from which the occurrence of the matter at issue can be reasonably inferred compare direct evidence in this entry
—
clear and convincing evidence
: evidence showing a high probability of truth of the factual matter at issue compare preponderance of the evidence, reasonable doubt
—
communicative evidence
\
kə-ˈmyü-nə-kə-tiv-, -ˌkā-tiv-
\
: testimonial evidence in this entry
—
competent evidence
: evidence that is admissible, relevant, and material to the factual matter at issue
—
corroborating evidence
: evidence that is independent of and different from but that supplements and strengthens evidence already presented as proof of a factual matter
called also corroborative evidence
compare cumulative evidence in this entry
—
cumulative evidence
: evidence that is of the same kind as evidence already offered as proof of the same factual matter compare corroborating evidence in this entry
—
demonstrative evidence
: evidence in the form of objects (as maps, diagrams, or models) that has in itself no probative value but is used to illustrate and clarify the factual matter at issue
broadly
: physical evidence in this entry
called also illustrative evidence
—
derivative evidence
: evidence obtained as a result of the unlawful gathering of primary evidence
called also indirect evidence, secondary evidence
see also fruit of the poisonous tree
—
direct evidence
: evidence that if believed immediately establishes the factual matter to be proved by it without the need for inferences
especially
: evidence of a factual matter offered by a witness whose knowledge of the matter was obtained through the use of his or her senses (as sight or hearing) compare circumstantial evidence in this entry
—
evidence in chief
: evidence that is to be used by a party in making its case in chief
—
exculpatory evidence
: evidence that tends to clear a defendant from fault or guilt see also brady material
Note: The prosecution in a criminal case is obligated to disclose to the defense any exculpatory evidence in its possession.
—
extrinsic evidence
: evidence regarding an agreement that is not included in the written version of the agreement
Note: A court may use extrinsic evidence to make sense of an ambiguity in a writing subject to some limitations.
: evidence about a witness's character obtained from the testimony of other witnesses rather than from cross-examination of the witness himself or herself
Note: A witness may not be impeached by the use of extrinsic evidence.
—
hearsay evidence
: a statement made out of court and not under oath and offered in evidence as proof that what is stated is true : hearsay
—
illustrative evidence
: demonstrative evidence in this entry
—
impeachment evidence
: evidence that may be used to impeach a witness because it tends to harm the witness's credibility
—
indirect evidence
: derivative evidence in this entry
—
intrinsic evidence
: evidence that exists within a writing
the will contains ample intrinsic evidence of the testator's intent—Stoner v. Custer, 251 N.E.2d 668 (1968)
compare extrinsic evidence in this entry
Stoner v. Custer, 251 N.E.2d 668 (1968)
compare extrinsic evidence in this entry
—
material evidence
: evidence that is likely to affect the determination of a matter or issue
specifically
: evidence that warrants reopening of a claim or reversal of a conviction because but for the circumstance that the evidence was unavailable the outcome of the first proceeding would have been different
—
no evidence
: evidence presented that is insufficient to prove a matter of especially vital fact : a point of error that insufficient evidence has been presented to support a finding
—
parol evidence
: evidence of matters spoken (as an oral agreement) that are related to but not included in a writing see also parol evidence rule
—
physical evidence
: tangible evidence (as a weapon, document, or visible injury) that is in some way related to the incident that gave rise to the case
called also real evidence
compare demonstrative evidence and testimonial evidence in this entry
—
presumptive evidence
: prima facie evidence in this entry
—
prima facie evidence
: evidence that is sufficient to prove a factual matter at issue and justify a favorable judgment on that issue unless rebutted
—
primary evidence
: best evidence in this entry
: evidence obtained as a direct result of an unlawful search
—
real evidence
: physical evidence in this entry
—
rebuttal evidence
: evidence that tends to refute or discredit an opponent's evidence
—
relevant evidence
: evidence that tends to prove or disprove any issue of fact that is of consequence to the case
—
secondary evidence
: derivative evidence in this entry
—
substantial evidence
: evidence greater than a scintilla of evidence that a reasonable person would find sufficient to support a conclusion
—
substantive evidence
: evidence offered to prove a factual issue rather than merely for impeachment
—
testimonial evidence
: evidence given in writing or speech or in another way that expresses the person's thoughts compare physical evidence in this entry
Note: Only testimonial evidence is protected by the Fifth Amendment's privilege against self-incrimination.
evidence
2 of 2 transitive verb
evidenced; evidencing
: to provide evidence of
Etymology
Noun
Medieval Latin evidentia, from Latin, that which is obvious, from evident-, evidens clear, obvious, from e- out of, from + videns, present participle of videre to see
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