Trial vs. Trail: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Trial refers to the formal examination of evidence in a court of law, while trail is a path or track usually created by the passage of people or animals.
Key Differences
A trial is a legal process where evidence and arguments are presented in court, while a trail is a path or track made through a natural area for walking or hiking.
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Nov 13, 2023
The purpose of a trial is to determine guilt or innocence in a legal case, whereas a trail is used for navigation, recreation, or access to remote areas.
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Trials are structured with legal procedures and occur in courtrooms. Trails are routes that can be found in various settings like forests, mountains, or parks.
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In a trial, there are judges, lawyers, and jurors involved. On a trail, you find hikers, nature enthusiasts, or animals.
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The outcome of a trial is a verdict or judgment, impacting legal matters. The experience of a trail leads to physical exertion, exploration, or enjoyment of nature.
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Comparison Chart
Context
Legal proceedings in a courtroom
Path or route in a natural environment
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Setting
Courtrooms and legal settings
Outdoor areas like forests and mountains
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Participants
Judges, lawyers, jurors, defendants
Hikers, nature enthusiasts, animals
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Trial and Trail Definitions
Trial
A formal examination of evidence in a courtroom.
The trial for the case is scheduled next month.
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Trail
A path or track made across a wild area by the passage of people or animals.
They followed the trail through the forest.
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Trial
An ordeal or challenging experience.
Surviving the wilderness was a real trial for them.
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Trail
To follow behind someone or something.
The detective trailed the suspect discreetly.
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Trial
A proceeding in which opposing parties in a dispute present evidence and make arguments on the application of the law before a judge or jury
The case is expected to go to trial.
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Oct 19, 2023
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Trail
A series of signs or markers used to indicate a path.
Markers were placed along the trail for guidance.
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Trail
A pathway for traveling or exploration.
The scenic trail led to a beautiful overlook.
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Trial
The act or process of testing, trying, or putting to the proof
A trial of one's faith.
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Trail
To allow to drag or stream behind, as along the ground
The dog ran off, trailing its leash.
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Trial
An instance of such testing, especially as part of a series of tests or experiments
A clinical trial of a drug.
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Trial
A state of pain or anguish that tests patience, endurance, or belief
"the fiery trial through which we pass" (Abraham Lincoln).
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Trial
A trying, troublesome, or annoying person or thing
The child was a trial to his parents.
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Trial
A preliminary competition or test to determine qualifications, as in a sport.
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Trail
To drag or be dragged along, brushing the ground
The queen's long robe trailed behind.
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Trial
Attempted or advanced on a provisional or experimental basis
A married couple on a trial separation.
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Trail
To extend, grow, or droop loosely over a surface
Vines trailing through the garden.
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Trial
An opportunity to test something out; a test.
They will perform the trials for the new equipment next week.
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Trail
To become gradually fainter; dwindle
His voice trailed off in confusion.
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Trail
To walk or proceed with dragging steps; trudge
Trailed along in glum silence.
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Trial
A difficult or annoying experience, such an experience seen as a test of faith and piety
That boy was a trial to his parents.
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Trail
To be behind in competition; lag
Trailing by two goals in the second period.
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Trail
A marked course through one or more bodies of water, as for recreational boaters or divers.
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Trail
Something that is drawn along or follows behind; a train
The mayor was followed by a trail of reporters.
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Trail
A succession of things that come afterward or are left behind
Left a trail of broken promises.
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Trial
(grammar) Pertaining to a language form referring to three of something, like people; contrast singular, dual and plural. (See Ambai language for an example.)
No language has a trial number unless it has a dual.
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Trail
Something that hangs loose and long
Trails of ticker tape floated down from office windows.
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Trial
To carry out a series of tests on (a new product, procedure etc.) before marketing or implementing it.
The warning system was extensively trialed before being fitted to all our vehicles.
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Trial
To try out (a new player) in a sports team.
The team trialled a new young goalkeeper in Saturday's match, with mixed results.
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Trail
(transitive) To follow behind (someone or something); to tail (someone or something).
The hunters trailed their prey deep into the woods.
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Trial
Any effort or exertion of strength for the purpose of ascertaining what can be done or effected.
[I] defy thee to the trial of mortal fight.
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Trail
(transitive) To drag (something) behind on the ground.
You'll get your coat all muddy if you trail it around like that.
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Trial
The state of being tried or tempted; exposure to suffering that tests strength, patience, faith, or the like; affliction or temptation that exercises and proves the graces or virtues of men.
Others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings.
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Trail
(transitive) To leave (a trail of).
He walked into the house, soaking wet, and trailed water all over the place.
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Trial
The act of testing by experience; proof; test.
Repeated trials of the issues and events of actions.
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Trail
(transitive) To show a trailer of (a film, TV show etc.); to release or publish a preview of (a report etc.) in advance of the full publication.
His new film was trailed on TV last night.
There were no surprises in this morning's much-trailed budget statement.
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Trial
That which tries or afflicts; that which harasses; that which tries the character or principles; that which tempts to evil; as, his child's conduct was a sore trial.
Every station is exposed to some trials.
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Trail
(intransitive) To hang or drag loosely behind; to move with a slow sweeping motion.
The bride's long dress trailed behind her as she walked down the aisle.
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Trial
The formal examination of the matter in issue in a cause before a competent tribunal; the mode of determining a question of fact in a court of law; the examination, in legal form, of the facts in issue in a cause pending before a competent tribunal, for the purpose of determining such issue.
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Trail
(intransitive) To drag oneself lazily or reluctantly along.
Our parents marched to church and we trailed behind.
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Trial
(law) legal proceedings consisting of the judicial examination of issues by a competent tribunal;
Most of these complaints are settled before they go to trial
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Trial
The act of testing something;
In the experimental trials the amount of carbon was measured separately
He called each flip of the coin a new trial
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Trail
(military) To carry (a firearm) with the breech near the ground and the upper part inclined forward, the piece being held by the right hand near the middle.
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Trial
(sports) a preliminary competition to determine qualifications;
The trials for the semifinals began yesterday
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Trial
(law) the determination of a person's innocence or guilt by due process of law;
He had a fair trial and the jury found him guilty
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Trial
Trying something to find out about it;
A sample for ten days free trial
A trial of progesterone failed to relieve the pain
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Trial
An annoying or frustrating or catastrophic event;
His mother-in-law's visits were a great trial for him
Life is full of tribulations
A visitation of the plague
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Trial
The act of undergoing testing;
He survived the great test of battle
Candidates must compete in a trial of skill
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Trail
The track or indication marking the route followed by something that has passed, such as the footprints of animal on land or the contrail of an airplane in the sky.
Trail of blood
Condensation trail
Data trail, paper trail
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Trial
A test of the performance, qualities, or suitability of someone or something.
The new software is undergoing a trial period.
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Trail
A route for travel over land, especially a narrow, unpaved pathway for use by hikers, horseback riders, etc.
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Trial
A process of experimenting to test a theory or hypothesis.
They conducted clinical trials for the new medicine.
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Trail
A route or circuit generally.
Politicians are on the campaign trail in preparation for this year's election.
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Trial
An attempt to do something.
He gave the puzzle a trial but couldn’t solve it.
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Trail
(television) A trailer broadcast on television for a forthcoming film or programme.
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Trail
The horizontal distance from where the wheel touches the ground to where the steering axis intersects the ground.
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Trail
To draw or drag, as along the ground.
And hung his head, and trailed his legs along.
They shall not trail me through their streetsLike a wild beast.
Long behind he trails his pompous robe.
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Trail
To carry, as a firearm, with the breech near the ground and the upper part inclined forward, the piece being held by the right hand near the middle.
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Trail
To take advantage of the ignorance of; to impose upon.
I presently perceived she was (what is vernacularly termed) trailing Mrs. Dent; that is, playing on her ignorance.
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Trail
To be drawn out in length; to follow after.
When his brother saw the red blood trail.
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Trail
To grow to great length, especially when slender and creeping upon the ground, as a plant; to run or climb.
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Trail
A track left by man or beast; a track followed by the hunter; a scent on the ground by the animal pursued; as, a deer trail.
They traveled in the bed of the brook, leaving no dangerous trail.
How cheerfully on the false trail they cry!
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Trail
A footpath or road track through a wilderness or wild region; as, an Indian trail over the plains.
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Trail
Anything drawn out to a length; as, the trail of a meteor; a trail of smoke.
When lightning shoots in glittering trails along.
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Trail
The entrails of a fowl, especially of game, as the woodcock, and the like; - applied also, sometimes, to the entrails of sheep.
The woodcock is a favorite with epicures, and served with its trail in, is a delicious dish.
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Trail
That part of the stock of a gun carriage which rests on the ground when the piece is unlimbered. See Illust. of Gun carriage, under Gun.
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Trail
The act of taking advantage of the ignorance of a person; an imposition.
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Trail
A track or mark left by something that has passed;
There as a trail of blood
A tear left its trail on her cheek
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Trail
Evidence pointing to a possible solution;
The police are following a promising lead
The trail led straight to the perpetrator
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Trail
To lag or linger behind;
But in so many other areas we still are dragging
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Trail
Go after with the intent to catch;
The policeman chased the mugger down the alley
The dog chased the rabbit
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Trail
Move, proceed, or walk draggingly pr slowly;
John trailed behind behis class mates
The Mercedes trailed behind the horse cart
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Trail
Hang down so as to drag along the ground;
The bride's veiled trailed along the ground
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Trail
Drag loosely along a surface; allow to sweep the ground;
The toddler was trailing his pants
She trained her long scarf behind her
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Trail
To lag behind or follow at a distance.
He trailed behind the group during the hike.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can a trial be used outside of law?
Yes, 'trial' can refer to a test or experiment in various contexts.
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What is a trial in a legal sense?
A legal trial is a formal judicial examination of evidence and arguments.
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What happens during a trial?
Evidence is presented, witnesses testify, and a verdict is reached.
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Are trails always in natural settings?
Mostly, though urban trails exist for walking or biking in cities.
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How are trails created?
Trails are formed by the repeated passage of people or animals.
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What is the purpose of a trail in nature?
Trails are paths used for navigation, hiking, and enjoying natural surroundings.
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Is a trial always related to a crime?
Not always; trials can be civil or criminal, or even scientific tests.
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What is the duration of a trial?
It varies, from a day to several months, depending on the case.
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Can trails be man-made?
Yes, many trails are deliberately constructed for recreational use.
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How do you prepare for a trail hike?
Preparation includes proper gear, knowledge of the trail, and safety measures.
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Are all trails safe for walking?
Trail safety varies; some are well-maintained, while others are rugged.
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Can trials be public?
Most trials are public, but some may be closed for specific reasons.
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What’s the difference between a trial and a hearing?
A hearing is a legal proceeding, typically less formal than a trial.
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What are trail markers?
Signs or symbols along a trail indicating direction or information.
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Who uses trails?
Hikers, bikers, nature enthusiasts, and sometimes animals use trails.
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What's the importance of trail etiquette?
It ensures safety, respect for nature, and enjoyment for all trail users.
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What is trail maintenance?
It involves keeping trails clean, safe, and navigable.
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Can trials be appealed?
Yes, verdicts in trials can often be appealed in a higher court.
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Nov 13, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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