Word
committal
Phoneticscom·mit·tal, stress on the second syllable
US/kəˈmɪtəɫ/
UK/kəmˈɪtəl/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a court order that sends someone to prison or to hospital for care, or sends a case to a higher court.
n. a formal judicial order sending a person to prison or psychiatric care, or transferring a criminal case to a higher court for trial.
Examples
“The judge orders his committal to prison for a month.”
“After the hearing, the court approved her committal for trial at the higher court next month.”
“The lawyer challenged the committal proceedings, arguing that the evidence did not justify sending the case to a higher court.”
Examples
simple
“The judge orders his committal to prison for a month.”
contextual
“After the hearing, the court approved her committal for trial at the higher court next month.”
complex
“The lawyer challenged the committal proceedings, arguing that the evidence did not justify sending the case to a higher court.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “committal” in context.
Verb
01. committal for trial
“Committal for trial means magistrates send the case to a higher court.”
noun + prep + noun
02. committal to hospital
“Committal to hospital requires reports from two independent doctors.”
noun + prep + noun
03. committal to prison
“Committal to prison is used only as a last resort for fine defaulters.”
noun + prep + noun
04. face committal
“He faces committal to prison for contempt of court.”
verb + noun
Adjective
05. compulsory committal
“The court ordered compulsory committal after doctors confirmed he posed a serious risk.”
adj + noun
06. criminal committal
“Criminal committal procedures differ between lower and higher courts.”
adj + noun
07. involuntary committal
“Involuntary committal requires clear medical evidence and approval by a judge.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. committal hearing
“The suspect appeared at a committal hearing before magistrates last week.”
noun + noun
09. committal proceedings
“Committal proceedings determine whether there is enough evidence for trial.”
noun + noun
10. await a committal hearing
“The accused is in custody awaiting a committal hearing next month.”
11. face committal for contempt
“The journalist faced committal for contempt after refusing to reveal his source.”
12. issue a warrant for committal
“The court issued a warrant for committal when the offender missed the hearing.”
Usage
Often followed by 'to' for custody ('committal to prison') or 'for' for trial ('committal for trial').
Real-World Examples
“The Tarrawingee man did not request bail, and will remain in custody until a committal mention on 4 February.” Word family
VERB
NOUN
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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