trying Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. verb make an effort or attempt
   try; attempt; seek; essay; assay.
   
   • He tried to shake off his fears
   • The infant had essayed a few wobbly steps
   • The police attempted to stop the thief
   • He sought to improve himself
   • She always seeks to do good in the world
2. verb put to the test, as for its quality, or give experimental use to
   essay; prove; try; examine; try out; test.
   
   • This approach has been tried with good results
   • Test this recipe
3. verb put on trial or hear a case and sit as the judge at the trial of
   judge; try; adjudicate.
   
   • The football star was tried for the murder of his wife
   • The judge tried both father and son in separate trials
4. verb take a sample of
   sample; try; taste; try out.
   
   • Try these new crackers
   • Sample the regional dishes
5. verb examine or hear (evidence or a case) by judicial process
   try; hear.
   
   • The jury had heard all the evidence
   • The case will be tried in California
6. verb give pain or trouble to
   try.
   
   • I've been sorely tried by these students
7. verb test the limits of
   try; strain; stress.
   
   • You are trying my patience!
8. verb melt (fat or lard) in order to separate out impurities
   try; render.
   
   • try the yak butter
   • render fat in a casserole
9. verb put on a garment in order to see whether it fits and looks nice
   try; try on.
   
   • Try on this sweater to see how it looks
10. adjective satellite hard to endure
    
    • fell upon trying times
11. adjective satellite extremely irritating to the nerves
    nerve-racking; stressful; nerve-wracking.
    
    • nerve-racking noise
    • the stressful days before a war
    • a trying day at the office

WordNet