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 judge declared a mistrial and scheduled a new trial. —Eva Wen, jsonline.com, 3 Oct. 2025

This includes the man who defended Lyle Menendez at his first criminal trial, which ended in a mistrial after the jury was evenly split on the question of his guilt. —Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025

After two trials — the first of which ended because of a change of venue, the second of which was declared a mistrial due to Shakur’s pregnancy — Shakur was convicted of murder and battery in 1977. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 26 Sep. 2025

Going to trial gives Routh a shot at an acquittal or mistrial. —Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2025

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