test

¹ American  

[test] / tɛst /

noun

1. the means by which the presence, quality, or genuineness of anything is determined; a means of trial.

   Synonyms:

   assay, proof

2. the trial of the quality of something.

   to put to the test.

3. a particular process or method for trying or assessing.

4. a set of questions, problems, or the like, used as a means of evaluating the abilities, aptitudes, skills, or performance of an individual or group; examination.

5. Psychology. a set of standardized questions, problems, or tasks designed to elicit responses for use in measuring the traits, capacities, or achievements of an individual.

6. Chemistry.

   1. the process of identifying or detecting the presence of a constituent of a substance, or of determining the nature of a substance, commonly by the addition of a reagent.

   2. the reagent used.

   3. an indication or evidence of the presence of a constituent, or of the nature of a substance, obtained by such means.

7. an oath or other confirmation of one's loyalty, religious beliefs, etc.

8. British. a cupel for refining or assaying metals.

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verb (used with object)

1. to subject to a test of any kind; try.

   Synonyms:

   examine, prove, assay

2. Chemistry. to subject to a chemical test.

3. Metallurgy. to assay or refine in a cupel.

verb (used without object)

1. to undergo a test or trial; try out.

2. to perform on a test.

   People test better in a relaxed environment.

3. to conduct a test.

   to test for diabetes.

test ² American  

[test] / tɛst /

noun

1. Zoology. the hard, protective shell or covering of certain invertebrates, as echinoderms or tunicates.

2. Botany. testa.

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test. ³ American  

abbreviation

1. testator.

2. testimony.

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Test. ⁴ American  

abbreviation

1. Testament.

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test ¹ British  

/ tɛst /

verb

1. to ascertain (the worth, capability, or endurance) of (a person or thing) by subjection to certain examinations; try

2. (often foll by for) to carry out an examination on (a substance, material, or system) by applying some chemical or physical procedure designed to indicate the presence of a substance or the possession of a property

   to test food for arsenic

   to test for magnetization

3. (intr) to achieve a specified result in a test

   a quarter of the patients at the clinic tested positive for the AIDS virus

4. (tr) to put under severe strain

   the long delay tested my patience

5. to make an exploratory or initial approach; sound out

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noun

1. a method, practice, or examination designed to test a person or thing

2. a series of questions or problems designed to test a specific skill or knowledge

   an intelligence test

3. a standard of judgment; criterion

4. 1. a chemical reaction or physical procedure for testing a substance, material, etc

   2. a chemical reagent used in such a procedure

      litmus is a test for acids

   3. the result of the procedure or the evidence gained from it

      the test for alcohol was positive

5. sport See test match

6. archaic a declaration or confirmation of truth, loyalty, etc; oath

7. (modifier) performed as a test

   test drive

   test flight

test ² British  

/ tɛst /

noun

1. the hard or tough outer covering of certain invertebrates and tunicates

2. a variant of testa

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test Idioms  

1. see acid test; put to the test.

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Usage

What is a basic definition of test? A test is a series of questions or problems that is used to determine a person’s ability or understanding of something. More generally, test refers to a trial, experiment, or examination that is designed to determine the qualities or characteristics of someone or something. As a verb, test means to assess someone’s knowledge or abilities, to put someone or something through a trial, or to try something out. The word test has several other senses as a noun and a verb.A test is a collection of questions, tasks, or problems that are designed to see if a person understands a subject or to measure their ability to do something.Real-life examples: Most schooling involves taking tests in many subjects, such as math and history. Lawyers must do well on a particularly difficult test, known as the bar examination, to be able to practice law.Used in a sentence: I studied all night for my chemistry test. Test can also be used in this context as a verb meaning to administer such a test.Real-life examples: Teachers test their students’ knowledge by giving them quizzes and tests.Used in a sentence: Yes, you will be tested on this.As a noun, test also refers to an experiment or trial that is designed to discover information about something.Real-life examples: Scientists and researchers create many tests (often called experiments) to learn new information or to see if a hypothesis is correct. A test of a chemical might involve how it reacts with other chemicals. Companies and businesses use safety tests to see if their products are safe for customers. A pregnancy test analyzes body fluids for hormones to determine whether someone is pregnant.Used in a sentence: The scientists used several different tests to determine how much pollution was in the drinking water. Related to this sense, test can mean to put something through a trial or test or to try it.Real-life examples: People often test products before purchasing them. When buying a car, you can test how it drives by taking it on a test drive. Testing a person often involves making them endure some kind of trial.Used in a sentence: The boss is just testing you because you’re new—he wants to see if you can handle the pressure.

Related Words

See trial.

Other Word Forms

• nontestable adjective
• nontesting adjective
• self-testing adjective
• testability noun
• testable adjective
• testing adjective
• testingly adverb
• untestable adjective
• untested adjective
• well-tested adjective

Etymology

Origin of test¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English: test(e), tast(e) “crucible; cupel,” from Old French “test, teste,” Latin testū, testum “earthenware pot”; akin to test ²

Origin of test²

First recorded in 1840–45; from Latin testa “tile, shell, covering”; akin to test ¹

Example Sentences

The astronauts must adhere to a sleep routine to ensure they're rested for the mission that will see them slingshot around the Moon and conduct a battery of test maneuvers, equipment checks and scientific observations.

From Barron's • Apr. 4, 2026

North Korea quadrupled its plutonium stockpile and in 2006 conducted its first nuclear test.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Their actions will stand the test of time.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

Approaching the end of the regular season, the Lakers looked at Thursday’s game against the defending NBA champions as a test, forward Jake LaRavia said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

I had come to test my own capabilities.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse

Related Words

• analysis
• approval
• assessment
• attempt
• check
• evaluation
• experiment
• final
• inquiry
• inspection
• investigation
• search
• standard
• trial