/ ˈtraɪəl; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
LAW
1.
[ U , C ] a formal examination of evidence in court by a judge and often a jury , to decide if sb accused of a crime is guilty or not :
a murder trial
He's on trial for murder.
She will stand trial / go on trial for fraud.
The men were arrested but not brought to trial .
The case never came to trial .
She is awaiting trial on corruption charges.
He did not receive a fair trial.
She was detained without trial.
TEST
2.
[ C , U ] the process of testing the ability, quality or performance of sb/sth, especially before you make a final decision about them :
The new drug is undergoing clinical trials.
She agreed to employ me for a trial period .
The system was introduced on a trial basis for one month.
a trial separation (= of a couple whose marriage is in difficulties)
We had the machine on trial for a week.
a trial of strength (= a contest to see who is stronger)
IN SPORT
3.
[ C , usually pl. ] ( BrE ) ( NAmE try·out ) a competition or series of tests to find the best players for a sports team or an important event :
Olympic trials
FOR ANIMALS
4.
[ C , usually pl. ] an event at which animals compete or perform :
horse trials
DIFFICULT EXPERIENCE
5.
[ C ] trial (to sb) an experience or a person that causes difficulties for sb :
the trials and tribulations of married life
She was a sore trial to her family at times.
•
IDIOMS
- trial and error
■ verb
( -ll- ) [ vn , v ] ( BrE ) to test the ability, quality or performance of sth to see if it will be effective or successful
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (as a noun): from Anglo-Norman French , or from medieval Latin triallum . The verb dates from the 1980s.