Evidence means facts, information, or signs that support the truth or existence of something or that help to prove or disprove a claim or belief. It can include things you see, experience, read, or are told, which give reason to believe that something is true or has happened

. More specifically:

• In general use, evidence is anything that causes you to believe something is true or real

• In law, evidence refers to information such as witness testimony, documents, or physical objects presented to establish facts in a case

• In science, evidence is data or observations obtained through the scientific method that confirm or challenge hypotheses or theories

• In clinical practice, evidence is the body of facts or data used to make informed decisions, ideally based on high-quality research applicable to the patient or situation

• Evidence can vary in strength, from weak indications to strong proof, and its exact meaning can differ depending on the field or context

In summary, evidence is the basis or grounds for belief, proof, or decision- making, derived from observable or verifiable information