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 second retrial also ended in mistrial this May, due to jury deadlock. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 26 June 2026

During the conference, Daniel argued loudly and forcefully for the declaration of a mistrial over Judd’s conduct, and made several remarks in the direction of the prosecutor’s table. — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 June 2026

The jury in that trial was unable to reach a verdict on the charge related to Mann and a mistrial was declared, as one juror refused to continue deliberating amid hostilities among their fellow jurors. — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2026

Juries at retrials in 2025 and 2026 could not reach unanimous verdicts on the charges, ending the proceedings in mistrials. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 25 June 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