field-test

American  

[feeld-test] / ˈfildˌtɛst /

verb (used with object)

1. to test (a device or product) under various conditions of actual use.

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Etymology

Origin of field-test

An Americanism dating back to 1915–20

Explanation

When scientists or researchers field-test something, they try it or test it in the environment in which it's intended to be used. Engineers, developers, and inventors all have reason to field-test products. For example, if a drug company is developing a new medicine, they might first test it in a laboratory and then field-test it, having actual patients try it. Educators might field-test a new curriculum, and military planners often field-test weapons or vehicles before outfitting entire armies with them. In field-test, the field is the "natural location or context."

Example Sentences

Simpli-Fi Automation of St. Paul, Minn.—which has an exclusive license to use NASA’s scent technology for medical applications—is preparing to field-test a commercial device that analyzes breath on a larger scale.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

Another possibility is that SBF is trying to sow doubt about his villainy in the minds of eventual jurors, or at least field-test how one defense might work on them.

From Slate • Jan. 20, 2023

Vassiliou says that he has received funding to field-test the system and partner with scientists on the ground to refine the invention.

From Scientific American • Jan. 3, 2022

Harrell’s therapist is helping field-test VR content for a company called Limbix, an arrangement between the company and the National Mental Health Innovation Center at University of Colorado’s medical school.

From Washington Times • Sep. 18, 2018

For example, one might see the following: I resently had occasion to field-test the Snafu Systems 2300E adaptive gonkulator.

From The Jargon File, Version 2.9.10, 01 Jul 1992 by Raymond, Eric S.