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.
Though Busfield will be supervised by a pretrial services officer in Albuquerque, his travel will not be limited and he is required to report to that officer. Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026 Busfield will be supervised upon release by a pretrial service in Albuquerque, and can leave the state to live at home, the judge said. CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026 The actor will be permitted to travel out of New Mexico until the start of his trial, but has been ordered to report to all pretrial services in the state. Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Jan. 2026 Judge Murphy is expected to rule on the pretrial detention motion during today’s hearing. Dominic Patten, Deadline, 20 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 23 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!