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

See Examples For:

pretrial

Yet eight months after that, the judge in his rape case issued a pretrial ruling in which she ordered prosecutors to honor the defendant’s “preferred pronouns.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026

Instead, the pretrial this month resurfaced the schisms.

From Slate ● Jul. 21, 2026

A pretrial hearing is scheduled for July 29.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 24, 2026

Under the existing rules, defendants who successfully argue for pretrial mental health diversion spend two years undergoing a court-appointed treatment plan instead of facing a conviction.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 18, 2026

It is illegal to subject pretrial detainees like Walter and Myers to confinement that constitutes punishment.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson