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

Nevertheless, "the results of this field trial represent a big step toward a more sustainable agriculture," concludes Marcel van der Heijden.

From Science Daily • Nov. 30, 2023

In early 2021 Keith and Frank Keutsch, an atmospheric chemist at Harvard, were planning the first SRM field trial.

From Scientific American • Sep. 20, 2023

In 2019, a large-scale field trial in Indonesia showed a 76% drop in reported dengue cases after Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes were released.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 12, 2023

Dr. Strauss, who previously served on Living Carbon’s advisory board, has grown some of the company’s seedlings since last year as part of a field trial funded by the company.

From New York Times • Feb. 16, 2023

With these Mr. Arkwright has bred to the best working strains, with the result that he has had many good field trial winners.

From Dogs and All about Them by Leighton, Robert