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 jury deliberated for about six hours on Monday and eight hours on Tuesday before the mistrial was declared. — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 July 2026

Flores went to trial on those charges twice last year, with the first ending in a mistrial when the jury was unable to reach a unanimous decision and deadlocked. — Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2026

The ruling came after the judge declared a mistrial in mid-June, after a juror searched the internet for information and shared it, requiring the selection of a new jury. — Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 1 July 2026

The individual alleged to have started the Lachman fire was charged with arson in federal court, though the case ended in a mistrial. — Char Miller, Time, 30 June 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