try in WordNet English dictionary

1. put on trial or hear a case and sit as the judge at the trial of
   "The football star was tried for the murder of his wife"; "The judge tried both father and son in separate trials"
   judge  adjudicate  try 
   
2. make an effort or attempt
   "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"
   try  seek  attempt  essay  assay 
   
3. put to the test, as for its quality, or give experimental use to
   "This approach has been tried with good results"; "Test this recipe"
   test  prove  try  try out  examine  essay 
   
4. examine or hear (evidence or a case) by judicial process
   "The jury had heard all the evidence"; "The case will be tried in California"
   hear  try 
   
5. melt (fat or lard) in order to separate out impurities
   "try the yak butter"; "render fat in a casserole"
   try  render 
   
6. take a sample of
   "Try these new crackers"; "Sample the regional dishes"
   sample  try  try out  taste 
   
7. test the limits of
   "You are trying my patience!"
   try  strain  stress 
   
8. put on a garment in order to see whether it fits and looks nice
   "Try on this sweater to see how it looks"
   try on  try 
   
9. give pain or trouble to
   "I've been sorely tried by these students"
   try 
   

1. earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
   "made an effort to cover all the reading material"; "wished him luck in his endeavor"; "she gave it a good try"
   attempt  effort  endeavor  endeavour  try