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.

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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

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 court on Monday unsealed its arrest warrant for Dela Rosa, which it said had been approved by its pretrial chamber in November.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

In a separate development in Kyiv, a court has ordered 60 days' pretrial detention for Zelensky's former right-hand man, Andriy Yermak, over a corruption scandal.

From BBC • May 14, 2026

Easing case backlogs, which can result in extended pretrial detention for defendants, is another priority.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

There would be a final pretrial hearing on February 2.

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel