pretrial

adjective

pre·​tri·​al ˌprē-ˈtrī(-ə)l How to pronounce pretrial (audio)
variants or pre-trial
: occurring or existing before a trial
a pretrial hearing

Examples of pretrial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
He is being held without bond and remains in custody before his pretrial detention hearing. Daniel S. Levine, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026 The city of Minneapolis and the four police officers involved settled the family’s lawsuit for $27 million in 2021, the largest pretrial civil rights wrongful death settlement ever. Sarah Davis, The Hill, 14 Jan. 2026 If the parties fail to reach an agreement, a pretrial conference is scheduled for late May. Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026 The federal hearing is not expected to get as granular as the weekslong pretrial hearing in Mangione’s state case. Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 12 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pretrial

Word History

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pretrial was in 1894

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pretrial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pretrial. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.

Legal Definition

pretrial

adjective
pre·​tri·​al
ˌprē-ˈtrī-əl
: existing or occurring before trial
a pretrial motion
a pretrial detainee
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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