experiment

American  

[ik-sper-uh-muhnt, ek-sper-uh-ment] / ɪkˈspɛr ə mənt, ɛkˈspɛr əˌmɛnt /

noun

1. a test, trial, or tentative procedure; an act or operation for the purpose of discovering something unknown or of testing a principle, supposition, etc..

   a chemical experiment; a teaching experiment; an experiment in living.

2. the conducting of such operations; experimentation.

   a product that is the result of long experiment.

   Synonyms:

   investigation, research

3. Obsolete. experience.

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verb (used without object)

1. to try or test, especially in order to discover or prove something.

   to experiment with a new procedure.

experiment British  

noun

1. a test or investigation, esp one planned to provide evidence for or against a hypothesis: a scientific experiment

2. the act of conducting such an investigation or test; experimentation; research

3. an attempt at something new or different; an effort to be original

   a poetic experiment

4. an obsolete word for experience

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verb

1. (intr) to make an experiment or experiments

experiment Scientific  

/ ĭk-spĕr′ə-mənt /

1. A test or procedure carried out under controlled conditions to determine the validity of a hypothesis or make a discovery.

2. See Note at hypothesis

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Related Words

See trial.

Other Word Forms

• experimentator noun
• experimenter noun
• experimentor noun
• preexperiment noun
• proexperiment adjective
• reexperiment verb (used without object)
• unexperimented adjective

Etymology

Origin of experiment

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English: “proof,” from Latin experīmentum “test, trial,” from experī(rī) “to test, try” ( experience ) + -mentum -ment

Example Sentences

The framework studies time-series data from experiments and identifies the most meaningful patterns in how a system changes.

From Science Daily

Tokyo’s long period of negative interest rates and mega-quantitative easing count as the largest monetary experiment in history.

From The Wall Street Journal

The country had enjoyed a decade-long democratic experiment after a history of hermetic military rule.

From Barron's

Now, more than 18 months down the line, what started as a bit of an experiment has turned into a complete life change.

From BBC

They describe him as unconventional, and as a visionary who wasn't afraid to bet on experiments.

From BBC

Related Words

• analysis
• attempt
• enterprise
• examination
• exercise
• experimentation
• measure
• observation
• operation
• practice
• probe
• procedure
• research
• search
• study
• trial
• undertaking
• venture