Definition of trial

< triage

trial and error >

tri·al    (trl, trl) KEY 

NOUN:

1. Law Examination of evidence and applicable law by a competent tribunal to determine the issue of specified charges or claims.
2. 1. The act or process of testing, trying, or putting to the proof: a trial of one's faith.
   2. An instance of such testing, especially as part of a series of tests or experiments: a clinical trial of a drug.
3. An effort or attempt: succeeded on the third trial.
4. A state of pain or anguish that tests patience, endurance, or belief: "the fiery trial through which we pass" (Abraham Lincoln).
5. A trying, troublesome, or annoying person or thing: The child was a trial to his parents.
6. A preliminary competition or test to determine qualifications, as in a sport.

ADJECTIVE:

1. Of, relating to, or used in a trial.
2. Attempted or advanced on a provisional or experimental basis: a trial separation.
3. Made or done in the course of a trial or test.

IDIOMS:
on trial

In the process of being tried, as in a court of law.

trial by fire

A test of one's abilities, especially the ability to perform well under pressure.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English triall, a testing, from Anglo-Norman trial, from trier, to sort, try

SYNONYMS:
trial, affliction, crucible, ordeal, tribulation

These nouns denote distress or suffering that severely tests resiliency and character: no consolation in their hour of trial; the affliction of a bereaved family; the crucible of revolution; the ordeal of being an innocent murder suspect; a time of relentless tribulation. See also Synonyms at burden¹.