Meaning of trial in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Noun
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /ˈtraɪ(ə)l/

    US accent Play button

    UK accent Play button

  1. Noun

    trial

    Etymology

    late Middle English (as a noun): from Anglo-Norman French, or from medieval Latin triallum. The verb dates from the 1980s

    Definitions

    1. (law) legal proceedings consisting of the judicial examination of issues by a competent tribunal

    Examples

    • « most of these complaints are settled before they go to trial »
  2. 2. the act of testing something

    Examples

    • « in the experimental trials the amount of carbon was measured separately »
    • « he called each flip of the coin a new trial »

    Derived terms

  3. 3. (sports) a preliminary competition to determine qualifications

    Examples

    • « the trials for the semifinals began yesterday »
  4. 4. (law) the determination of a person's innocence or guilt by due process of law

    Examples

    • « he had a fair trial and the jury found him guilty »

    Derived terms

  5. 5. trying something to find out about it

    Examples

    • « a sample for ten days free trial »
    • « a trial of progesterone failed to relieve the pain »

    Derived terms

  6. 6. an annoying or frustrating or catastrophic event

    Examples

    • « his mother-in-law's visits were a great trial for him »
    • « life is full of tribulations »
    • « a visitation of the plague »

    Derived terms

  7. 7. the act of undergoing testing

    Examples

    • « he survived the great test of battle »
    • « candidates must compete in a trial of skill »

    Derived terms

Famous quotes

  • « We've got fifty people at Gitmo that are too dangerous to be let go that will never go through a normal criminal trial. Let's create a new legal system, so they'll have their day in court. »
    Lindsey Graham
  • « I think the issue is that Americans traveling abroad if gotten into legal problems should have access to a fair trial and an impartial tribunal. »
    Maria Cantwell
  • « The end of the trial and the 'not guilty' verdicts on all counts, clearing Michael of all charges, mean that he can now concentrate on the future and his art. »
    LaToya Jackson
  • « The right to a trial is a core principle of the American legal system. Depriving Americans of these essential liberties undermines the Constitution while doing nothing to strengthen our national security. »
    John Garamendi
  • « Good-looking individuals are treated better than homely ones in virtually every social situation, from dating to trial by jury. »
    Martha Beck

Browse dictionary