on trial

idiom

: in a situation in which evidence against one is presented in a court to a judge and often a jury to decide if one is guilty of a crime

on trial for murder

She went on trial for possession of drugs.

—sometimes used figuratively to indicate that people will think about something in a critical way

The controversial case has put the entire health-care system on trial.

Examples of on trial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Baldwin is on trial in Santa Fe for involuntary manslaughter for his role in Hutchins’ accidental shooting. —

Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2024 The peaceful transfer of power, which Trump aims to end, is on trial. —

Don Flood, Baltimore Sun, 11 July 2024 Menendez is on trial with two of the businessmen — Wael Hana and Fred Daibes. —

CBS News, 9 July 2024 The big picture: Some activists point out the timing is particularly suspect, as the bill's amnesty period would include a 1992 massacre for which former President Alberto Fujimori is on trial. —

Marina E. Franco (noticias Telemundo For Axios), Axios, 9 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for on trial

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'on trial.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.