mistrial

noun

mis·​tri·​al ˈmis-ˌtrī(-ə)l How to pronounce mistrial (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Shockley's current attorneys have been fighting for DNA testing of the evidence in the case that wasn't available in 2005 and argue that a mistrial should have been declared over misconduct by the jury foreperson, who showed off his book about a revenge killing to fellow jurors. Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025 After jurors were unable to make a decision, the trial ended in a mistrial. Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025 The man said no, triggering a mistrial on the rape count. Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2025 Arthur Aidala, who represented Weinstein, called for a mistrial more than a dozen times throughout the five-week trial, and was denied each time. Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mistrial

Word History

First Known Use

1628, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mistrial was in 1628

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mistrial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mistrial. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

mistrial

noun
mis·​tri·​al ˈmis-ˌtrī(-ə)l How to pronounce mistrial (audio)
: a trial that is cancelled because of an error in the proceedings

Legal Definition

mistrial

noun
mis·​tri·​al ˈmis-ˌtrī-əl How to pronounce mistrial (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on mistrial

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!