1
: the formal examination before a competent tribunal of the matter in issue in a civil or criminal cause in order to determine such issue
2
a
: the action or process of trying or putting to the proof : test
b
: a preliminary contest (as in a sport)
3
a
: a tryout or experiment to test quality, value, or usefulness compare clinical trial
b
: one of a number of repetitions of an experiment
4
: a test of faith, patience, or stamina through subjection to suffering or temptation
broadly
: a source of vexation or annoyance
5
: attempt
1
: of, relating to, or used in a trial
2
: made or done as a test or experiment
3
: used or tried out in a test or experiment
trialed or trialled; trialing or trialling; trials
: to test the functioning, value, or usefulness of (something)
In 2014, Germany trialed a copyright law granting publishers licensing fees for quoted content.—
Kim Willsher
Kim WillsherSo a raft of demonstration projects around the world have trialled "smart grids" that deal with electricity flowing in two directions—accommodating individuals selling power back to the utility company operation …—Caroline Williams
Caroline WilliamsSynonyms
Examples of trial in a Sentence
Noun
He did not get a fair trial.
He testified at the trial.
She is awaiting trial on charges of assault.
Early trials have shown that the treatment has some serious side effects.
Recovering from her injury was a real trial of strength.
I know I was a bit of a trial to my parents when I was a teenager.
Cold winters can be a trial for older people.
Adjective
trial use of the product
If you choose to use the software beyond the 30-day free trial period, you are required to pay for it.
Recent Examples on the Web
Madison Yauger, People.com, 29 Nov. 2024
As in all cases China deems related to national security, Dong's trial was held in secret, with no press or family present, and the court provided no records of the testimony or evidence to the public.
—Emily Feng, NPR, 29 Nov. 2024
Alex Christian, WIRED, 4 Oct. 2024
The partnership aims to work with the industry to trial innovative ways to treat obesity.
—Bruce Gil, Quartz, 15 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for trial 
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Noun
Our testing team trials beauty finds that solve problems, such as the best shampoos for thinning hair and anti-aging products, as well as those that amp up your natural beauty, like false eyelashes.
—Madison Yauger, People.com, 29 Nov. 2024
As in all cases China deems related to national security, Dong's trial was held in secret, with no press or family present, and the court provided no records of the testimony or evidence to the public.
—Emily Feng, NPR, 29 Nov. 2024
Verb
Major clients also use its Aarhus facility to trial new concepts.
—Alex Christian, WIRED, 4 Oct. 2024
The partnership aims to work with the industry to trial innovative ways to treat obesity.
—Bruce Gil, Quartz, 15 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for trial
Dictionary Entries Near trial
Cite this Entry
“Trial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trial. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
trial
1 of 2 noun
tri·al
ˈtrī(-ə)l 
1
: the action or process of testing or trying
2
: the hearing and judgment of a case in court
3
: a test of faith, patience, or strength
4
: an experiment to test quality, value, or usefulness
trial
2 of 2 adjective1
: of, relating to, or used in a trial
2
: made or done as a test or experiment
a trial run
Medical Definition
trial
noun
tri·al
ˈtrī(-ə)l
1
: a tryout or experiment to test quality, value, or usefulness see clinical trial
2
: one of a number of repetitions of an experiment
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