mistrial

noun

mis·​tri·​al ˈmis-ˌtrī(-ə)l 

: a trial that has no legal effect with regard to one or more of the charges brought against the defendant because of some serious error or prejudicial misconduct in the proceedings or a hung jury

Examples of mistrial in a Sentence

The judge declared a mistrial.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Lindsay Clancy mistrial has produced a public trial of its own — of the lone holdout juror. — Monu Bedi, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026

The jury deadlocked 11-1, with Desronvil standing alone in favor of convicting Clancy rather than accepting her insanity defense, prompting Judge William Sullivan to declare a mistrial. — Brittany Miller , Adam Sabes , Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2026

The mistrial left Clancy’s future uncertain, as prosecutors have not yet decided whether to pursue a new trial. — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026

Following the mistrial, several other jurors have given interviews offering some insight into the conversations that took place in the deliberation room. — Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1628, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mistrial

• dial
• rial
• thiol
• trial
• vial
• denial
• posttrial
• pretrial
• retrial
• sensorial

Kids Definition

mistrial

noun

mis·​tri·​al ˈmis-ˌtrī(-ə)l 

: a trial that is cancelled because of an error in the proceedings

Legal Definition

mistrial

noun

mis·​tri·​al ˈmis-ˌtrī-əl 

: a trial that terminates without a verdict because of error, necessity, prejudicial misconduct, or a hung jury see also manifest necessity compare dismissal sense 2, trial de novo