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, a number of state attorneys general who originally signed on to the lawsuit are planning to move forward with the case, potentially calling for a mistrial. —Walden Green, Pitchfork, 12 Mar. 2026

The judge declared a mistrial on the third count of third-degree rape, after one juror refused to continue deliberations. —Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026

At a hearing on Tuesday, March 10, Judge Arun Subramanian said the court would reserve judgment on the motion for a mistrial and ordered the hold-out states to get back to the negotiating table with Live Nation and see if a deal can be reached this week. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 10 Mar. 2026

Gitlin requested a mistrial on Monday, a week after opening statements, but David Marriott, a lawyer for Live Nation, opposed the request. —Larry Neumeister, Fortune, 9 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