pretrial

[pree-trahy-uhl, -trahyl]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pretrial¹

First recorded in 1935–40; pre- + trial

Example Sentences

And James, a Democrat, gets her own solo hearing on Dec. 5 to air other pretrial arguments for seeking the dismissal of the case.

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Prosecutors must first persuade a judge in a special pretrial hearing that a defendant didn’t kill in legitimate self-defense—disproving a person’s claim of mortal fear.

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Sun had no reason to register as a foreign agent, her defense team argued in pretrial motions.

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Before Jones was granted a pretrial release, a lawyer representing the U.S. government made one specific request.

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Although rarely granted, motions to dismiss for selective and vindictive prosecution are still routine pretrial fare in Espionage Act cases in order to preserve the issue for appeal.

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