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

Following his arrest, a Wake County magistrate initially ordered Kerr held without release under North Carolina's domestic violence pretrial release law. — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026

The defendant, César Jáuregui, is being held in pretrial detention at a maximum-security prison for allegedly authorizing the agents’ participation in the operation. — ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026

Court records indicate that the government’s request for temporary pretrial detention was granted, subject to reconsideration. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026

The three other cases were dismissed after the defendants underwent pretrial diversion. — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 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