experiment

[ noun ik-sper-uh-muhnt; verb ek-sper-uh-ment ]

See synonyms for: experiment experimented experimenting experiments on Thesaurus.com

noun

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.
the conducting of such operations; experimentation: a product that is the result of long experiment.

Obsolete. experience.

verb (used without object)

to try or test, especially in order to discover or prove something: to experiment with a new procedure.

Origin of experiment

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

synonym study For experiment

1. See trial.

Other words for experiment

2	research, investigation

See synonyms for experiment on Thesaurus.com

Other words from experiment

ex·per·i·ment·er, ex·per·i·men·tor, ex·per·i·men·ta·tor, noun
pre·ex·per·i·ment, noun
pro·ex·per·i·ment, adjective
re·ex·per·i·ment, verb (used without object), noun
un·ex·per·i·ment·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use experiment in a sentence

There are any number of hot drinks you could do in this large-format, fire pit mode, so I invite you to find a favorite recipe and experiment with scaling it up.
This cocktail can keep you warm around the fire pit — and you can make it there, too | M. Carrie Allan | November 20, 2020 | Washington Post
Human eyes also had a harder time spotting camouflaged plants in an online experiment, suggesting that the camouflage actually works.
These plants seem like they’re trying to hide from people | Jonathan Lambert | November 20, 2020 | Science News
This winter, as part of this grand experiment, even Coloradans might be able to snake a few linked powder turns together in untracked snow after the third run.
How COVID-19 Could Actually Be Good for Skiing | Marc Peruzzi | November 20, 2020 | Outside Online
Still, “people have dreamt about how to do an experiment,” says Anders Nilsson of Stockholm University.
Supercooled water has been caught morphing between two forms | Emily Conover | November 19, 2020 | Science News
Because typically there’s nothing like a randomized experiment going on.
Does Advertising Actually Work? (Part 1: TV) (Ep. 440) | Stephen J. Dubner | November 19, 2020 | Freakonomics

When Obama took office in 2009, Michelle became the great experimenter of fashion, the great celebrator of little-known talent.
Michelle Obama’s Signs of Fashion Restraint on Election Night | Isabel Wilkinson | November 7, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
Moore has been less of a hard-core cougar and more of an experimenter.
Demi Moore’s Poignant Fall | Tracy Quan | February 15, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
This visionary was in reality a philosopher, that is to say, an experimenter and a manipulator of general ideas.
Repertory Of The Comedie Humaine, Complete, A -- Z | Anatole Cerfberr and Jules Franois Christophe
It may happen that the experimenter's telegraph line is out of order and the trouble cannot be found.
The Boy Mechanic, Book 2 | Various
Lancaster rolled up his sleeves with the rest and let Karen take over the leadership—she was the best experimenter.
Security | Poul William Anderson
For a little while everything seemed going beautifully, and the experimenter was full of hope.
The Animal Story Book | Various
And the ore was pronounced “good”—a proof either of gross deception, or gross ignorance in the experimenter.
The Indian in his Wigwam | Henry R. Schoolcraft

British Dictionary definitions for experiment

experiment

noun(ɪkˈspɛrɪmənt)

a test or investigation, esp one planned to provide evidence for or against a hypothesis: a scientific experiment
the act of conducting such an investigation or test; experimentation; research

an attempt at something new or different; an effort to be original: a poetic experiment
an obsolete word for experience

verb(ɪkˈspɛrɪˌmɛnt)

(intr) to make an experiment or experiments

Origin of experiment

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

Derived forms of experiment

experimenter, noun

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

Scientific definitions for experiment

experiment

[ ĭk-spĕr′ə-mənt ]

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

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