26984 words

trial

14 definitions • 30 examples
1
the hearing of statements and showing of objects, etc. in a law court to judge if a person is guilty of a crime or to decide a case or a legal matter:

Examples:

trial proceedings
Trial by jury is a fundamental right.
It was a very complicated trial that went on for months.
She's going on/standing trial for fraud.
2
a test, usually over a limited period of time, to discover how effective or suitable something or someone is:

Examples:

They're doing clinical trials on a new drug.
They've employed her for a six-month trial (period).
You can have the equipment on a trial basis (UK also on trial), and if you don't like it you can give it back.
3
a person or thing that is annoying and causes a lot of problems:

Examples:

She was a real trial to her parents when she was younger.
The book is all about the trials of growing up.
4
an exam taken at school for practice before a real exam:

Examples:

Trials take place in July.
5
to test something in a formal way to discover how effective or suitable it is:

Examples:

We will trial the new drug in several hospitals.
6
the examination in a court of law of the facts of a case to decide whether a person is guilty of a crime or responsible for an injury to another person:

Examples:

[ C ] a criminal/civil trial
[ U ] The case will soon go to trial (= begin).
[ U ] She must still stand trial (= be judged in a court of law).
7
If someone is on trial, the case in which that person's guilt is being judged has begun:

Examples:

He was on trial for assault and robbery.
8
a test, usually over a limited period of time, to discover how effective or suitable something or someone is:

Examples:

[ C ] The agency plans to conduct clinical trials of the drug.
[ U ] We have the videotapes on a trial basis for one week – if we don’t like them, we can send them back.
9
something or someone that causes anxiety or problems:

Examples:

10
a test to discover how safe, effective, etc. a product is:

Examples:

11
the process of using a product or employing a person for a short period in order to decide how effective or suitable they are:

Examples:

Under the scheme, employers fill a vacancy with a long-term unemployed individual on a trial basis for up to 15 working days.
You can buy the equipment on trial and take it back if you don't like it.
Agents are usually appointed for a trial period.
12
in a court of law, the process of judging whether a person is guilty of a crime or deciding a legal problem, which involves hearing statements, showing objects, etc.:

Examples:

await/face/stand trial He was ordered to stand trial on charges of unlawful computer use.
be/go/be put on trial for sth The former chief executive is on trial for fraud.
The company is scheduled to go to trial next year.
get/be given a fair trial
13
a way of achieving something or solving a problem by trying a number of different methods and learning from the mistakes you make:

Examples:

Although some products' quality can be verified through trial and error, this is not always practical.
14
to test something in a formal way to discover how effective or suitable it is:

Examples:

The group is trialling internet ordering for its paper and plastic products.
The system will be trialed in the third quarter of the year in both the U.S. and Japan.

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