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 clips Read was first tried last year but after nine weeks of trial the jury was unable to come to a verdict and a mistrial was declared. —Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 15 May 2025

Neither jury could reach a verdict, so a mistrial was declared. —Tim Arango, New York Times, 15 May 2025

Wenger’s lawyer, Nicole Lopes, convinced White to call a mistrial two days in, arguing she was overwhelmed by mental health concerns and lack of support from her firm and couldn’t continue. —Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 7 May 2025

Proctor was relieved of duty on the same day the mistrial was announced last July. —Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 5 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1628, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mistrial

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

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