field trial

American  

noun

1. a competition among sporting dogs under natural conditions in the field, in which the animals are judged on the basis of excellence of performance in hunting.

2. a trial of a new product or procedure to determine its efficiency or usefulness in actual performance.

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field trial British  

noun

1. hunting a test of or contest between gun dogs to determine their proficiency and standard of training in retrieving or pointing

2. (often plural) a test to display performance, efficiency, or durability, as of a vehicle or invention

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Etymology

Origin of field trial

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

In initial field trials, colonies that received synthetic pheromone blends containing methyl oleate were far less likely to begin rearing replacement queens than colonies given blends without it.

From Science Daily

A number of field trials have tested different marine carbon removal techniques, but many remain in the early development stage.

From Science Daily

Olympic track and field trials in Eugene, Ore., Fisher even jetted back to his home in Park City, Utah, between events, before returning to the trials.

From The Wall Street Journal

"The 30% increase in tuber mass observed in our field trials shows the promise of improving photosynthesis to enable climate-ready crops."

From Science Daily

“This is why we have opened the pathway to vaccine field trials even as we continue to deploy all available efforts, including emphasizing biosecurity and mandating the testing lactating dairy cattle moving across state lines.”

From Los Angeles Times