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

Big hospital systems have become the proving ground for widespread AI adoption, testing what the technology can do, but also revealing—sometimes via alarming mishaps—where it falls flat.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 5, 2026

For now, what's on the court for Baylor is a young man with a wealth of international experience and a chance to make a splash in a prime proving ground for NBA talent.

From Barron's • Jan. 4, 2026

But, the thinking went, there is a perfect proving ground conveniently circling the Earth, never more than about three days’ travel time away.

From Slate • Dec. 9, 2025

Kennedy is hopeful that the Celtic Challenge, a cross-border club competition with teams from Scotland, Ireland and Wales that launched in 2023, can provide a proving ground to rival England's PWR in time.

From BBC • Sep. 11, 2025

King Ogunwe hurried forward, as did the other commanders and the engineers, who had thrown open the doors and let the light flood out over the proving ground.

From "The Amber Spyglass" by Philip Pullman