trial
adjective
1. Pertaining to a trial or test.
2. Attempted on a provisional or experimental basis.
3. Characterized by having three (usually equivalent) components.
4. Triple.
5. (grammar) pertaining to a language form referring to three of something, as people; contrast singular, dual and plural.
- No language has a trial number unless it has a dual.
noun
1. the act of testing something
- in the experimental trials the amount of carbon was measured separately
- he called each flip of the coin a new trial
Definition categories: act, attempt, effort, endeavor, endeavour, try
2. trying something to find out about it
- a sample for ten days free trial
- a trial of progesterone failed to relieve the pain
Definition categories: thought, experiment, experimentation
3. the act of undergoing testing
- candidates must compete in a trial of skill
Similar word(s): test
Definition categories: act, attempt, effort, endeavor, endeavour, try
4. (law) the determination of a person's innocence or guilt by due process of law
- he had a fair trial and the jury found him guilty
- most of these complaints are settled before they go to trial
Definition categories: act, proceeding, proceedings
5. (sports) a preliminary competition to determine qualifications
- the trials for the semifinals began yesterday
Definition categories: event, competition, contest
6. an annoying or frustrating or catastrophic event
- his mother-in-law's visits were a great trial for him
Similar word(s): tribulation, visitation
Definition categories: event, affliction
Sentences with trial as a noun:
- They will perform the trials for the new equipment next week.
- That boy was a trial to his parents.
- soccer trials
verb
1. To carry out a series of tests on (a new product, procedure etc.) before marketing or implementing it.
- The warning system was extensively trialed before being fitted to all our vehicles.
2. To try out (a new player) in a sports team.
- The team trialled a new young goalkeeper in Saturday's match, with mixed results.