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 jurors deadlocked regarding the same misdemeanor charge for Malik Alrefai, 25, leading Orange County Superior Court Judge Eric Scarbrough to declare a mistrial. —Sean Emery, Oc Register, 8 Apr. 2026

After jurors told Judge Thomas Stevens they were deadlocked 11-1 on that count, Stevens declared a mistrial and excused the jury. —Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2026

Wolk declared a mistrial on the fifth homicide charge after Yolo jurors failed to reach a verdict on a count of involuntary manslaughter. —Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 6 Apr. 2026

He was convicted after his second trial; his first ended in a mistrial. —Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2026

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