perjury

Everyday

1. (law) Perjury is the crime of telling a lie in court after promising to tell the truth. tree →
2. It can also mean breaking a solemn promise. tree →

In the lessons

In lessons on law and honesty it shows that lying under oath is a serious crime because courts need the truth to be fair. In stories and news it tells the reader a witness lied. Phrases: commit perjury, charged with perjury, guilty of perjury.

Examples

• Lying in court is called perjury. tree →
• The witness was charged with perjury. tree →
• Perjury can be punished with prison. tree →
• Before speaking, witnesses swear to tell the truth. tree →
• If you commit perjury, the trial may be unfair. tree →
• The judge warned him about perjury. tree →

Note

Uncountable: no «a», no plural. Verb phrase: «commit perjury»; a person is «a perjurer». An ordinary lie is not perjury; it must be under oath in court or a legal statement.