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.
Pop Culture Happy Hour For once — a true crime story that isn't focused on the killer The Massachusetts State Police confirmed during pretrial legal proceedings last March that Proctor was the subject of an internal investigation over a potential violation of department policy. Rachel Treisman, NPR, 28 Mar. 2025 The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing focused on pretrial delays later that month, when court system General Counsel Nancy Meade told legislators that the cases recently highlighted in news stories were unacceptable but were outliers among criminal cases. Kyle Hopkins, ProPublica, 27 Mar. 2025 Under Illinois law, these dangerous offenders should be held in pretrial detention after arrest, except possibly in unusual cases in which a judge finds there is some innocent explanation for carrying an enhanced weapon. John Schmidt, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025 Betancourt was first arrested Feb. 27 when someone reported a motorist driving recklessly in neighboring Pinellas County, deputies wrote in a motion for pretrial detention. Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pretrial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pretrial. Accessed 2 Apr. 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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