trial
Pluraltrials
Pluraltrials
Formstrials
- 1A meeting in a court where a judge or jury hears the facts and decides if someone broke the law.
Like a contest where two sides show their proof and someone decides who is right.
The trial lasted three weeks before the jury reached a verdict.
She watched the whole trial from the public gallery.
UsageOften with no a or the: on trial, stand trial. Say the trial for one case.
- 2A test to see how well someone or something works, or a time when you try it out.
Like trying on shoes before you buy them to see if they fit.
They gave the new soap a trial before selling it.
The first trial of the machine showed a few problems.
UsageCommon phrases: a free trial, give something a trial.
Similartest
- 3A careful study that tests whether a medicine or treatment is safe and works well.
Like testing a new medicine on many people to make sure it is safe before selling it.
The new vaccine did well in its first trial.
Patients in the trial received either the drug or a sugar pill.
UsagePeople take part in a trial.
Note
- 4A hard or annoying experience, or a person who is hard to deal with.
Like a steep hill you must climb when you are already tired.
Raising three toddlers alone was a real trial.
The long, hot journey turned into a trial for everyone.
UsageAbout a person: he was a trial to his parents.
Similarordeal, hardship, tribulation, affliction, burden
Note
- 5A contest that tests athletes' or animals' skills, often to choose who joins a team or moves up.
Like a contest to pick the best players for a team.
She did well at the swimming trial and made the team.
Only ten dogs passed the herding trial.
UsageOften plural: the trials, sheepdog trials.
- 6Done as a test, to see if something will work before doing it fully.
Like a test drive before you decide to buy a car.
We offered customers a trial subscription for one month.
The company started a trial program in two stores.
UsageUsed before a noun: a trial period, a trial run.
Similarexperimental, pilot, provisional, probationary, tentative
Oppositepermanent
- 7Having to do with a trial or test.
The trial results showed a clear improvement.
We reviewed all the trial data before deciding.
Less common meanings
- 8The act of trying to do something, often more than once.
Like trying again and again until something finally works.
I learned to fix my bike by trial and error.
After a dozen trials he succeeded in lighting the lantern,
1913, Willa Cather, O Pioneers!Here, trials means tries or attempts at doing something.UsageMostly used in trial and error.
Note
- 9To try out something or someone new to see how well they work before deciding.
Like trying a new recipe on your family before cooking it for guests.
The hospital will trial the new booking system next month.
They plan to trial a cheaper material in the factory.
UsageYou trial something new, like a system or a design.
Note
- 10A fight or battle between people or armies to test their strength.
In both your armies there is many a soul / Shall pay full dearly for this encounter, / If once they join in trial.
c. 1597, William Shakespeare, Henry IVHere, trial means a fight or battle between armies.Note
- 11An exam set by Eton College in England for its own students to check their progress.
- 12A small clay piece used to check how hot a kiln is.
- 13Made up of three parts.
- 14Describing a word form that refers to exactly three of something.
- 15A grammar form that shows there are exactly three of something.
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
From Middle English trial, from Anglo-Norman trial, from the verb trier meaning 'to pick out' plus '-al'.
Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 1 fact
- Trial comes from Middle English trial, from Anglo-Norman trial, formed from trier meaning 'to pick out' plus -al. en.wiktionary.org