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

Instead, the pretrial this month resurfaced the schisms.

From Slate ● Jul. 21, 2026

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

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

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

From its focus on his pretrial placement on death row to the extra security surrounding his court appearances, the narrative in the press was clear: This man was extremely dangerous.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson