Definition of: trial

(trī′əl, trīl) noun
1. The act of testing or proving by experience or use.
2. The state of being tried or tested by suffering: the hour of trial.
3. Experimental treatment or action performed to determine a result: to learn by trial and error.
4. An experience, person, or thing that puts strength, patience, or faith to the test.
5. An attempt or effort to do something; a try: to make a trial.
6. The examination, before a tribunal having assigned jurisdiction, of the facts or law involved in an issue in order to determine that issue.
7. A former method of determining guilt or innocence by subjecting the accused to physical tests of endurance, as by ordeal or by combat with his accuser.
8. Brit. An academic or licensing examination. See synonyms under ENDEAVOR, MISFORTUNE, PROOF.
—on trial In the process of being tried or tested.
—adjective
1. Of or pertaining to a trial or trials.
2. Made or performed in the course of trying or testing: a trial trip.
3. Used in testing: a trial specimen. [<AF <trier TRY]