experiment

[ noun ik-sper-uh-muhnt; verb ek-sper-uh-ment ]

noun

1. a test, trial, or tentative procedure; an act or operation for the purpose of discovering something unknown or of testing a principle, supposition, etc.:

   a chemical experiment; a teaching experiment; an experiment in living.

2. the conducting of such operations; experimentation:

   a product that is the result of long experiment.

   Synonyms: investigation, research

3. Obsolete. experience.

verb (used without object)

1. to try or test, especially in order to discover or prove something:

   to experiment with a new procedure.

experiment

noun

1. a test or investigation, esp one planned to provide evidence for or against a hypothesis: a scientific experiment
2. the act of conducting such an investigation or test; experimentation; research
3. an attempt at something new or different; an effort to be original

   a poetic experiment

4. an obsolete word for experience

verb

1. intr to make an experiment or experiments

experiment

/ ĭk-spĕr′ə-mənt /

1. A test or procedure carried out under controlled conditions to determine the validity of a hypothesis or make a discovery.
2. See Note at hypothesis

Derived Forms

• exˈperiˌmenter, noun

Other Words From

• ex·peri·menter ex·peri·mentor ex·peri·men·tator noun
• preex·peri·ment noun
• proex·peri·ment adjective
• reex·peri·ment verb (used without object) noun
• unex·peri·mented adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of experiment¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English: “proof,” from Latin experīmentum “test, trial,” from experī(rī) “to test, try” ( experience ) + -mentum -ment

Word History and Origins

Origin of experiment¹

C14: from Latin experīmentum proof, trial, from experīrī to test; see experience

Synonym Study

See trial.

Example Sentences

Cressey developed a formula for liquid clay and experimented with overlapping glazes and new textures.

From Los Angeles Times

Furthermore, experiments with the mathematical model and mouse brain samples showed that increasing the concentration of sugars in the solution around the axon or decreasing tension in the axonal membranes reduced the pearl structures' size.

From Science Daily

The experiments were carried out under various conditions, for example in fresh and salt water.

From Science Daily

Simulation models are excellent digital laboratories that allow researchers to interrogate and check their assumptions about the world in ways otherwise not possible in real-world experiments.

From Science Daily

The tools these scientists are developing will enable predictions for EIC experiments.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• analysis
• attempt
• enterprise
• examination
• exercise
• experimentation
• measure
• observation
• operation
• practice
• probe
• procedure
• research
• search
• study
• trial
• undertaking
• venture