pretrial

adjective

pre·​tri·​al ˌprē-ˈtrī(-ə)l 

variants or pre-trial

: occurring or existing before a trial

a pretrial hearing

Examples of pretrial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

However, budget documents show only $50 million is specifically dedicated to helping courts and pretrial services handle the additional workload created by the measure. — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 13 July 2026

Pimentel-Rodriguez and Gil Duran are scheduled to appear at a pretrial detention hearing on Monday at the Second District Courthouse in Skokie. — Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 13 July 2026

The single was inspired by Apple’s experience serving as a court watcher, particularly for women impacted by pretrial detention. — Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 10 July 2026

Unless a settlement is reached, pretrial motions are expected to proceed in October. — Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 7 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pretrial

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

Legal Definition

pretrial

adjective

pre·​tri·​al

ˌprē-ˈtrī-əl

: existing or occurring before trial

a pretrial motion

a pretrial detainee