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

Days before the mistrial, prosecutors dismissed first-degree murder charges against the two men after jurors deadlocked a first time. — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026

Continue reading … DECISION DAY — Judge announces order on Lindsay Clancy's motion for not guilty finding, weeks after mistrial. — FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026

The trial of the man accused of starting that fire ended in a mistrial this summer after the jury deadlocked. — Evan Bush, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2026

Because the first trial ended in a mistrial due to a holdout juror, prosecutors must now decide whether to retry Clancy on first-degree murder charges, pursue lesser charges such as second-degree murder or manslaughter, or abandon the case. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 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