on trial
Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Medical, Legal, Encyclopedia.
on trial
1. Being tried in a court of law. The woman is on trial for stealing from stores all over town.
2. As a test to examine someone's or something's worth or suitability. They let us take the steam cleaner home on trial with the promise of a full refund if we didn't like it. They gave me the job, but only on trial for the first week until I prove I'm up to snuff.
on trial
1. [of someone] in a legal case before a judge. The criminal was on trial for over three months. lam not on trial. Don't treat me like that!
2. being tested; being examined or experimented with. The new strain of wheat is on trial in Kansas at the present time. The teaching method is on trial in the school system.
on trial
1. In the process of being tried, especially in a court of law. For example, He would be put on trial for the murder of his wife. [Early 1700s]
2. As a test of something, on probation, as in They said we could take the vacuum cleaner on trial and return it if it was too noisy. [Early 1700s]
on trial
In the process of being tried, as in a court of law.