on trial
idiom
: in a situation in which evidence against one is presented in a court to a judge and often a jury to decide if one is guilty of a crime
on trial for murder
She went on trial for possession of drugs.
—sometimes used figuratively to indicate that people will think about something in a critical wayThe controversial case has put the entire health care system on trial.
Examples of on trial in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Carlos Reales Dominguez’s defense pressed Davis police officers whether the former UC Davis student on trial in a deadly 2023 knife rampage was advised of his Miranda rights while he was detained at the end of the violent spree.
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Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 17 May 2025
His then-girlfriend, 45-year-old Karen Read, is currently on trial in connection with his murder.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2025
For the last week, he’s been back on trial in front of the same federal judge, John D. Bates, inside a Washington, D.C., courtroom, charged with 16 counts of hostage taking.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 14 May 2025
Although all four were on trial, Castañeda’s story received the most attention.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for on trial
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Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 17 May 2025
His then-girlfriend, 45-year-old Karen Read, is currently on trial in connection with his murder.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2025
For the last week, he’s been back on trial in front of the same federal judge, John D. Bates, inside a Washington, D.C., courtroom, charged with 16 counts of hostage taking.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 14 May 2025
Although all four were on trial, Castañeda’s story received the most attention.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for on trial
Cite this Entry
“On trial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20trial. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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