proving ground

American  

noun

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

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proving ground British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of proving ground

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

The war is a “proving ground,” they say, that gives China a chance to learn from successes and failures on both sides.

From New York Times

In this case, it is New York serving as the proving ground to establish the accountability of a man who succeeded in becoming president, in considerable measure, by covering up his past.

From Washington Post

With war no longer entirely a hypothetical, neoconservatives portrayed Iraq as a proving ground for their larger mission.

From New York Times

Las Vegas represented the first professional proving ground for a young group the Clippers hope will one day be ready to complement their established core.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s an important proving ground for the concept and fortunately the Z Flip 3 appears up to the task.

From The Verge