trial, the: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal in legal contexts, informal in general usage.
Quick answer
What does “trial, the” mean?
A formal examination of evidence in a court of law to determine guilt or innocence.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A formal examination of evidence in a court of law to determine guilt or innocence.
A test or experiment to evaluate something; a difficult or trying experience.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'trial' is predominantly legal, while in American English, it is also used for sports tryouts and product testing.
Connotations
In the UK, it often carries a serious legal tone; in the US, it can be more neutral in commercial or experimental settings.
Frequency
Equally common in both dialects across various contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “trial, the” in a Sentence
to trial somethingbe trialled in a settingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “trial, the” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The NHS will trial the new vaccine across regions.
- She was trialled for the managerial role.
American English
- The company trialed the app with focus groups.
- They're trialing a new sales approach this quarter.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverb form; used peripherally in phrases like 'trial-wise' in informal speech.
American English
- Rarely used as an adverb; typically avoided in formal writing.
adjective
British English
- He is on a trial period at the consultancy.
- The trial edition lacks advanced features.
American English
- She has a trial subscription to the service.
- The trial phase concluded successfully.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to product testing, probation periods for employees, or pilot programs.
Academic
Used in legal studies for court proceedings and in sciences for controlled experiments.
Everyday
Describes testing new items or facing challenging situations.
Technical
In law, a formal judicial process; in research, a structured experiment.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “trial, the”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “trial, the”
- Using 'trial' as an intransitive verb, e.g., 'We trialed' instead of 'We trialed the product'.
- Misapplying in non-legal contexts without clarity.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is used as a verb meaning to test or try something, though it may be more frequent in British English for formal contexts.
'Trial' often implies a structured test with specific outcomes, such as in law or medicine, while 'experiment' is broader and used in scientific inquiry.
Informally, yes—it can describe a difficult or annoying person, e.g., 'He's a real trial,' but this usage is less common.
The IPA is similar (/ˈtraɪəl/), but American English may have a more rhotic 'r' sound, while British English might soften the final syllable.
A formal examination of evidence in a court of law to determine guilt or innocence.
Trial, the is usually formal in legal contexts, informal in general usage. in register.
Trial, the: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtraɪəl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtraɪəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “on trial”
- “trial and error”
- “stand trial”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine 'trial' as 'try-all' where everything is tested or examined.
Conceptual Metaphor
Life is a trial, symbolizing challenges and evaluations.
Practice
Quiz
Which phrase is a common idiom involving 'trial'?