proving ground

noun

1. any place, context, or area for testing something, as a piece of scientific equipment, a theory, etc.

proving ground

noun

1. a place or situation in which something new, such as equipment or a theory, can be tested

Word History and Origins

Origin of proving ground¹

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

Protest movements have often been a proving ground for future elected officials, according to Jonathan Hanson, a political scientist at the University of Michigan.

From Salon

Bondy was also the proving ground where a prodigy was created.

From BBC

As parents fell under the sway of reading lists for “gifted” kids, story time became yet another proving ground.

From New York Times

The tube is the heart of the new European Hyperloop Center that opens Tuesday and will be a proving ground in coming years for developers of the evolving technology.

From Seattle Times

The festival’s message explained its Army sponsorship, noting that the “defense industry has historically been a proving ground for many of the systems we rely on today.”

From Los Angeles Times