trial

1 of 3

noun

tri·​al ˈtrī(-ə)l 

1

: the formal examination before a competent tribunal of the matter in issue in a civil or criminal cause in order to determine such issue

2

a

: the action or process of trying or putting to the proof : test

b

: a preliminary contest (as in a sport)

3

a

: a tryout or experiment to test quality, value, or usefulness compare clinical trial

b

: one of a number of repetitions of an experiment

4

: a test of faith, patience, or stamina through subjection to suffering or temptation

broadly : a source of vexation or annoyance

5

: attempt

trial

2 of 3

adjective

1

: of, relating to, or used in a trial

2

: made or done as a test or experiment

3

: used or tried out in a test or experiment

trial

3 of 3

verb

trialed or trialled; trialing or trialling; trials

transitive verb

: to test the functioning, value, or usefulness of (something)

In 2014, Germany trialed a copyright law granting publishers licensing fees for quoted content.

—Kim Willsher

So a raft of demonstration projects around the world have trialled "smart grids" that deal with electricity flowing in two directions—accommodating individuals selling power back to the utility company operation …

—Caroline Williams

Synonyms of trial

Noun

• ordeal
• fire
• gauntlet

Adjective

• experimental
• investigative
• developmental

Examples of trial in a Sentence

Noun

He did not get a fair trial.

He testified at the trial.

She is awaiting trial on charges of assault.

Early trials have shown that the treatment has some serious side effects.

Recovering from her injury was a real trial of strength.

I know I was a bit of a trial to my parents when I was a teenager.

Cold winters can be a trial for older people.

Adjective

trial use of the product

If you choose to use the software beyond the 30-day free trial period, you are required to pay for it.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

If the first eight steps, rising amid the site’s oak and maple trees, can be viewed as his birth and boyhood in the state, those at the summit reflect his later years of anguish and trial. — Chris Kenning, USA Today, 2 July 2026

Prosecutors told jurors at trial that the group's actions — including bringing firearms, first aid kits and wearing body armor — were signals of nefarious intent. — Steven Rosenbaum, CBS News, 1 July 2026

Verb

The case will continue to trial if Gledhill is later found to be competent. — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2026

There are no treatments for this Ebola strain, and scientists are racing to trial new ones, Nature reported. — Semafor Events, semafor.com, 20 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Anglo-French, from trier to try

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Adjective

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1971, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing trial

• Bernoulli trial
• bring to trial
• clinical trial
• come to trial
• field trial
• inter-trial
• jury trial
• on a trial basis
• on trial
• pre-trial
• show trial
• stand/face trial
• stand trial
• time trial
• trial and error
• trial balance
• trial balloon
• trial by battle
• trial by jury
• trial court
• trial examiner
• trial horse
• trial jury
• trial lawyer
• trial run
• went on trial

Rhymes for trial

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

Kids Definition

trial

1 of 2 noun

tri·​al ˈtrī(-ə)l 

1

: the action or process of testing or trying

2

: the hearing and judgment of a case in court

3

: a test of faith, patience, or strength

4

: an experiment to test quality, value, or usefulness

5

: attempt entry 2 sense 1, effort

trial

2 of 2 adjective

1

: of, relating to, or used in a trial

2

: made or done as a test or experiment

a trial run

Medical Definition

trial

noun

tri·​al ˈtrī(-ə)l 

1

: a tryout or experiment to test quality, value, or usefulness see clinical trial

2

: one of a number of repetitions of an experiment

Legal Definition

trial

noun

tri·​al

: a judicial examination of issues of fact or law disputed by parties for the purpose of determining the rights of the parties compare hearing, inquest

Etymology

Noun

Anglo-French, from trier to try