on trial

phrase

: in a situation in which evidence against one is presented in a court to a judge and often a jury to decide if one is guilty of a crime

on trial for murder

She went on trial for possession of drugs.

—sometimes used figuratively to indicate that people will think about something in a critical way

The controversial case has put the entire health care system on trial.

Examples of on trial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Oregon government was on trial last month for its program after the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors filed suit in 2025. — Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Lindsay Clancy, who is currently on trial for the murders of her three children, broke down in court Friday, July 31 when an emergency room doctor recounted trying to revive her 8-month-old son, Callan. — Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026

Lindsay Clancy, a 35-year-old former nurse, is on trial in Massachusetts for the murder of her three young children in 2023. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 31 July 2026

The singer has been in court this week for a preliminary hearing to determine whether there is enough evidence to put him on trial. — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 25 July 2026

Rhymes for on trial

• dial
• rial
• thiol
• vial
• denial
• mistrial
• posttrial
• pretrial
• retrial
• sensorial