field-test
Americanverb (used with object)
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
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
Please field-test some good noise-canceling headphones and/or earplugs so that the not-on-duty parent can actually sleep, and know that it’s going to be bad and then it will get better.
From Slate • Mar. 15, 2019
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.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
