test

1
[ test ]
See synonyms for test on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. the means by which the presence, quality, or genuineness of anything is determined; a means of trial.

  2. the trial of the quality of something: to put to the test.

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

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. Chemistry.

    • 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.

    • the reagent used.

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

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

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

verb (used with object)
  1. to subject to a test of any kind; try.

  2. Chemistry. to subject to a chemical test.

  1. 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.

  1. to conduct a test: to test for diabetes.

Origin of test

1
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 test2

synonym study For test

1. See trial.

Other words for test

Other words from test

  • test·a·ble, adjective
  • test·a·bil·i·ty, noun
  • test·ing·ly, adverb
  • non·test·a·ble, adjective
  • non·test·ing, adjective
  • self-testing, adjective
  • un·test·a·ble, adjective
  • un·test·ed, adjective
  • well-tested, adjective

Words Nearby test

Other definitions for test (2 of 4)

test2
[ test ]

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

  2. Botany. testa.

Origin of test

2
First recorded in 1840–45; from Latin testa “tile, shell, covering”; akin to test1

Other definitions for test. (3 of 4)

test.

abbreviation
  1. testator.

  2. testimony.

Other definitions for Test. (4 of 4)

Test.

abbreviation
  1. Testament.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use test in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for test (1 of 2)

test1

/ (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

  1. (intr) to achieve a specified result in a test: a quarter of the patients at the clinic tested positive for the AIDS virus

  2. (tr) to put under severe strain: the long delay tested my patience

  3. test the water to make an exploratory or initial approach; sound out

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

  1. a standard of judgment; criterion

    • a chemical reaction or physical procedure for testing a substance, material, etc

    • a chemical reagent used in such a procedure: litmus is a test for acids

    • the result of the procedure or the evidence gained from it: the test for alcohol was positive

  2. sport See test match

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

  4. (modifier) performed as a test: test drive; test flight

Origin of test

1
C14 (in the sense: vessel used in treating metals): from Latin testum earthen vessel

Derived forms of test

  • testable, adjective
  • testability, noun
  • testing, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for test (2 of 2)

test2

/ (tɛst) /


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

  2. a variant of testa

Origin of test

2
C19: from Latin testa shell

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with test

test

see acid test; put to the test.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.