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.
Chicago Alderman Raymond Lopez, a Democrat, told Fox News Digital that the SAFE-T act, the law that eliminated cash bail in Illinois, needs to be overhauled after Saturday's shooting, which was allegedly committed by someone who was on pretrial release. Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026 With 85% of the population being held pretrial, the longer cases take, the more artificially inflated the population gets. Jonathan Lippman, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026 The top Republicans in the Illinois House and Senate in a news conference on Wednesday called for changes to the SAFE-T Act in the wake of the fatal shooting over the weekend, including an amendment to detain people who are on pretrial release for a felony and then are arrested for another felony. Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026 Furman set a May 28 hearing for an initial pretrial conference in the civil case. ABC News, 28 Apr. 2026 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 May. 2026.

Legal Definition

pretrial

adjective
pre·​tri·​al
ˌprē-ˈtrī-əl
: existing or occurring before trial
a pretrial motion
a pretrial detainee
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