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

In a pretrial hearing, the judge overseeing the case ruled to allow the jury to hear his book and media interviews, saying the proffer agreement did not cover public statements. — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026

Legal analyst Steven Clark said the circumstances raise questions about whether public safety is receiving enough consideration in decisions involving pretrial release. — Da Lin, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026

DuPage County Judge Joshua Dieden granted prosecutors’ motion to deny pretrial release. — Alicia Fabbre, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026

The final pretrial conference will be held in February, with both sides completing briefing by the beginning of April. — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 4 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