1
: the formal examination before a competent tribunal of the matter in issue in a civil or criminal cause in order to determine such issue
2
a
: the action or process of trying or putting to the proof : test
b
: a preliminary contest (as in a sport)
3
a
: a tryout or experiment to test quality, value, or usefulness compare clinical trial
b
: one of a number of repetitions of an experiment
4
: a test of faith, patience, or stamina through subjection to suffering or temptation
broadly
: a source of vexation or annoyance
5
: attempt
1
: of, relating to, or used in a trial
2
: made or done as a test or experiment
3
: used or tried out in a test or experiment
trialed or trialled; trialing or trialling; trials
: to test the functioning, value, or usefulness of (something)
In 2014, Germany trialed a copyright law granting publishers licensing fees for quoted content.—
Kim Willsher
Kim WillsherSo a raft of demonstration projects around the world have trialled "smart grids" that deal with electricity flowing in two directions—accommodating individuals selling power back to the utility company operation …—Caroline Williams
Caroline WilliamsExamples of trial in a Sentence
Noun
He did not get a fair trial.
He testified at the trial.
She is awaiting trial on charges of assault.
Early trials have shown that the treatment has some serious side effects.
Recovering from her injury was a real trial of strength.
I know I was a bit of a trial to my parents when I was a teenager.
Cold winters can be a trial for older people.
Adjective
trial use of the product
If you choose to use the software beyond the 30-day free trial period, you are required to pay for it.
Recent Examples on the Web
Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Williams, while concluding the trial, brought up the incident and accused Dennis of felonies, the lawsuit says.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
PC Magazine, 25 July 2025
Prior to Dupixent, Sutter would have to trial foods by eating one item consistently, everyday, for a month, changing nothing else about his diet.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 14 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for trial
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Noun
Lewis was convicted of murder after a jury deliberated for just 31-minutes, following a three-day trial, according to the statement from the prosecutor's office.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Williams, while concluding the trial, brought up the incident and accused Dennis of felonies, the lawsuit says.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
For some who planned to trial T-Mobile for a longer period, this shortening of the window may prove frustrating.
—PC Magazine, 25 July 2025
Prior to Dupixent, Sutter would have to trial foods by eating one item consistently, everyday, for a month, changing nothing else about his diet.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 14 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for trial
Cite this Entry
“Trial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trial. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
trial
1 of 2 noun
tri·al
ˈtrī(-ə)l 
1
: the action or process of testing or trying
2
: the hearing and judgment of a case in court
3
: a test of faith, patience, or strength
4
: an experiment to test quality, value, or usefulness
trial
2 of 2 adjective1
: of, relating to, or used in a trial
2
: made or done as a test or experiment
a trial run
Medical Definition
trial
noun
tri·al
ˈtrī(-ə)l
1
: a tryout or experiment to test quality, value, or usefulness see clinical trial
2
: one of a number of repetitions of an experiment
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