Which term describes a statement made under oath by a witness outside of court?

The correct term for a statement made under oath by a witness outside of court is a deposition. A deposition is a formal procedure where a witness gives their testimony under oath before a trial takes place. This typically occurs in a lawyer's office and is recorded for later use in court. The purpose of a deposition is to gather information and preserve the testimony of witnesses, providing both parties with insight into what the witness knows about the case.

In contrast, an affidavit is also a sworn statement, but it is typically written and signed in front of an authorized official, rather than given orally during a process like a deposition. A witness statement generally refers to any account provided by a witness, usually not under oath and not specific to a legal procedure. Testimony refers to the evidence presented verbally by a witness during a trial or other legal proceeding, where the witness is under oath, but it is not specifically an outside-of-court statement. Thus, the term deposition accurately encapsulates the scenario of a sworn statement made away from the courtroom setting.