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
The Classified Information Procedures Act (CIPA) sets rules for how defendants can use classified evidence in court and can lengthen the pretrial process.
—
Joe Hernandez, NPR, 6 Jan. 2026
The federal jail where Maduro is expected to be held pretrial has had several recent high-profile inmates.
—Phil Helsel, NBC news, 4 Jan. 2026
Another board member, Wayne Bennett, was the sheriff in Glynn County, where the trial was moved because of pretrial publicity.
—CBS News, 30 Dec. 2025
As Marc Agnifilo entered a Manhattan courtroom for a pretrial hearing this month, the defense attorney exchanged smiles with a group of observers in the gallery.
—Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretrial
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Joe Hernandez, NPR, 6 Jan. 2026
The federal jail where Maduro is expected to be held pretrial has had several recent high-profile inmates.
—Phil Helsel, NBC news, 4 Jan. 2026
Another board member, Wayne Bennett, was the sheriff in Glynn County, where the trial was moved because of pretrial publicity.
—CBS News, 30 Dec. 2025
As Marc Agnifilo entered a Manhattan courtroom for a pretrial hearing this month, the defense attorney exchanged smiles with a group of observers in the gallery.
—Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pretrial
Cite this Entry
“Pretrial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pretrial. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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