noun · neutral
trial
/ˈtraɪəl/TRI·al
a formal process in a court of law where evidence is presented and guilt or liability is decided
Examples
“The trial lasted six weeks and included testimony from ten witnesses.”
“Some cases are settled before trial through negotiations.”
“She asked for a fair trial.”
Band 8 sentence
“Complex criminal trials often require expert witnesses to explain technical evidence to lay jurors.”
Collocations
- stand trial
- trial proceedings
- fair trial
Word family
Common mistakes
Using 'trial' to mean 'investigation' or 'police questioning'→trial = phiên tòa (giai đoạn xét xử trước tòa); investigation/interrogation = điều tra/thẩm vấn
Saying 'go to trial' when case was dropped→go to trial = vụ kiện ra tòa; nếu vụ bị hủy thì không 'go to trial'
Say it for a higher band
5court session→6hearing→7+trial
Synonyms
hearing
Easily confused
hearing
“The judge scheduled a hearing to decide whether the evidence could be admitted at trial.”
Related words
Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.
In Crime & Law
Learn it with its set