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

However on Monday, after two weeks of testimony, the judge in the case declared a mistrial as the six-person jury remained deadlocked over a verdict. —Mason Leath, ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026

Prosecutors opposed the request, arguing the mistrial did not justify a reduction. —Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026

The judge declared a mistrial on Monday, after the six-person jury said it was deadlocked. —Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026

However, a mistrial was declared over the warring panel not being able to reach a decision on a charge of third-degree rape involving Mann. —Dominic Patten, Deadline, 4 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