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.
The reforms imposed new requirements on prosecutors to turn over evidence to defendants more quickly during pretrial periods, and supporters have said the old system contributed to wrongful convictions, mass incarceration and case delays. Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 14 Jan. 2025 Lewis is scheduled to return to court March 31 for a pretrial hearing. Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2025 The trials have been stuck in pretrial hearings, two for more than a decade, that have focused on the taint of their torture; how much the prisoners’ lawyers, and the public, could know about it; and efforts to have cases dismissed because of it. Carol Rosenberg, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025 According to court records, Ross has pleaded not guilty and had a pretrial hearing scheduled for Jan. 9. Nicole Acosta, People.com, 9 Jan. 2025 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

Dictionary Entries Near pretrial

Cite this Entry

“Pretrial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pretrial. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.

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
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