burden of proof

noun

1. Chiefly Law. the obligation to offer evidence that the court or jury could reasonably believe, in support of a contention, failing which the case will be lost.
2. the obligation to establish a contention as fact by evoking evidence of its probable truth.

burden of proof

noun

1. law the obligation, in criminal cases resting initially on the prosecution, to provide evidence that will convince the court or jury of the truth of one's contention

Word History and Origins

Origin of burden of proof¹

First recorded in 1585–95

Idioms and Phrases

Obligation of proving a disputed charge or allegation. For example, Are you sure you mailed the tax return on time? The burden of proof's on you . A legal term dating from the late 1500s, it has also been used more loosely in recent times.

Related Words

• onus