Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a widespread and persistent environmental contaminant. Plants are able to take up a range of harmful organic compounds, including some of the most abundant environmental pollutants like TCE. In this study, complementary DNA microarrays were constructed to have a better view of transcript expression in Arabidopsis thaliana during TCE-induced stress. The microarray analysis demonstrated the complexity of gene expression patterns resulting from TCE. A total of 1,020 transcripts were differentially up-regulated by TCE. Those genes might specifically contribute to the TCE transformation, conjugation, and compartmentation in plant. This study provides informative preliminary data for more in-depth analyses of TCE tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana.