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
Five former officers were charged, including Bean, Haley and Smith who are now on trial and have pleaded not guilty, as well as Desmond Mills Jr. and Emmitt Martin III, who have pleaded guilty to some of the federal charges.
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Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2024
Young Thug trial:Second judge recused from the RICO case within 3 days
Why is Young Thug on trial?
—Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 13 Aug. 2024
Prosecutors are trying to use those statements to support allegations Kendrick and another co-defendant now on trial, Shannon Stillwell, were involved in the drive-by shooting and that Young Thug, born Jeffery Williams, rented the silver Infinity later linked to the murder.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2024
Dial was scheduled to go on trial next month on charges including first- and third-degree murder, manslaughter and official oppression.
—Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 8 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for on trial 
Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2024
Young Thug trial:Second judge recused from the RICO case within 3 days
Why is Young Thug on trial?
—Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 13 Aug. 2024
Prosecutors are trying to use those statements to support allegations Kendrick and another co-defendant now on trial, Shannon Stillwell, were involved in the drive-by shooting and that Young Thug, born Jeffery Williams, rented the silver Infinity later linked to the murder.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2024
Dial was scheduled to go on trial next month on charges including first- and third-degree murder, manslaughter and official oppression.
—Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 8 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for on trial
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'on trial.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“On trial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20trial. Accessed 21 Sep. 2024.
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