test-market

[ test-mahr-kit ]

verb (used with object)

1. to offer (a new product) for sale, usually in a limited area, in order to ascertain and evaluate consumer response.

Word History and Origins

Origin of test-market¹

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

“I saw Napster as a way to test-market and feed new musical artists to you for virtually nothing.”

From Los Angeles Times

The Trapper Keeper made its test-market debut in Wichita in 1978 and began selling nationally three years later.

From Washington Post

It didn’t matter that the poor guy had never even had a chance to test-market Ginger, because Kamen wouldn’t let him show it to anybody.

From Slate

What these multiple engagements suggest is that as theater returns to robust live-ness, Washington has been cast in a significant role once again, as a test-market locale with sophisticated theater tastes.

From Washington Post

We conducted focus groups to test-market our branding for the project, enlisting the pro bono help of PR professionals to fine-tune the message.

From Literature