noun
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a trial made void because of some error, such as a defect in procedure
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(in the US) an inconclusive trial, as when a jury cannot agree on a verdict
Etymology
Origin of mistrial
Explanation
When a judge cancels a trial, she declares a mistrial. In other words, she decides that some mistake has been made and the trial must begin again from the start, with a new jury. There are several reasons that a judge might declare a mistrial, including a hung jury, which is when the jury can't come to a unanimous decision. There might also be misconduct by an attorney, or improperly introduced evidence. A mistrial usually means having to start all over again. The noun mistrial begins with the prefix mis-, which comes from Old English and means "bad or wrong."
Vocabulary lists containing mistrial
Power Prefix: mis-
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Just Mercy
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Dear Martin
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Appeared in the December 23, 2025, print edition as 'Case of Accused Chinese Agent Ends in a Mistrial in New York'.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 22, 2025
Mistrial: In what might be a step too far, France is moving to ban “judicial analytics,” the use of machine learning or analytics to predict judicial behavior.
From Slate • Jun. 26, 2019
Jenkins’ Sports Illustrated cover story on LeBron James.ESPN’s version of the same story, “The Mistrial of LeBron James.”
From Slate • Apr. 30, 2012
Mistrial for One Menendez After 19 days, the jury deliberating the charges against Erik Menendez said it was hopelessly deadlocked.
From Time Magazine Archive
Mistrial, mis-trī′al, n. a trial void because of error, as by disqualification of a juror, &c.: a trial in which the jury fail to agree.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
