pretrial

American  

[pree-trahy-uhl, -trahyl] / priˈtraɪ əl, -ˈtraɪl /

noun

1. a proceeding held by a judge, arbitrator, etc., before a trial to simplify the issues of law and fact and stipulate certain matters between the parties, in order to expedite justice and curtail costs at the trial.

---

adjective

1. of or relating to such a proceeding.

2. done, occurring, etc., prior to a trial.

   pretrial publicity.

Etymology

Origin of pretrial

First recorded in 1935–40; pre- + trial

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pretrial

Manheim said in a written statement that its role is to facilitate wholesale deals between buyers and sellers, that sellers are required to disclose safety issues, and that it was dismissed from the case pretrial.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026

A pretrial hearing remains scheduled for July 29.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 25, 2026

She spent more than a year in pretrial detention while under investigation for alleged money laundering linked to the Odebrecht corruption scandal.

From Barron's ● Jun. 3, 2026

For Mock, pretrial detention—which he likened to Soviet forced-labor prisons—is the foundation of his perceived injustice.

From Slate ● May 28, 2026

The novelty of a pretrial capital defendant on death row seemed to motivate other prisoners to get in Walter's ear every day.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson