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

If a mistrial is declared in this instance, the feds could attempt another trial with a new jury and hope for a better outcome. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 25 June 2026

The exchange ended with defense attorney Mark Daniel requesting a mistrial for the fifth time in three days. — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 June 2026

The second retrial also ended in mistrial this May, due to jury deadlock. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 26 June 2026

For various other reasons, the judge ended up declaring a mistrial, and some of the jurors subsequently spoke to the press about their opinion of the case. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 29 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