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

On May 18, Perry held a final pretrial conference to go over logistics ahead of the trial and Parente again raised the grand jury issue. — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026

Researchers found no evidence that Humphrey decreased the state’s pretrial jail population or the average bail assigned to a defendant in California. — Evelyn Ronan, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026

The ruling builds on earlier reforms aimed at reducing pretrial detention based solely on a person's financial circumstances. — James Ward, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026

Abshir was scheduled for a mandatory meeting with his pretrial release supervisor that day but failed to appear. — Wcco Staff, CBS News, 19 Aug. 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