experiment

[ik-sper-uh-muhnt, ek-sper-uh-ment]

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.

verb (used without object)

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

   to experiment with a new procedure.

experiment

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

verb

1. (intr) to make an experiment or experiments

experiment

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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of experiment¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of experiment¹

C14: from Latin experīmentum proof, trial, from experīrī to test; see _experience

Synonym Study

See trial.

Example Sentences

Most existing research comes from laboratory experiments on captive animals, while much less is known about how wild species are affected.

Read more on Science Daily

States are experimenting with regulations to curb adolescent digital addictions, but the problem defies a pat government solution.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

In the absence of randomized trials on the effects of acetaminophen, researchers need to use ‘natural experiments’ to develop better guidance for patients.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Officials are navigating an economy reshaped by sweeping policy experiments.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

That same year, Adam Smith published “The Wealth of Nations,” providing theoretical underpinning for the American experiment in free markets.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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