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.

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of field trial

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

In their field trial, the researchers collected dozens of measurements of the lava in different locations and at different times.

From Science Daily • Jun. 4, 2024

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

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

The major aim is to keep raccoons from spreading their strain of the deadly virus to states where it hasn’t been found or isn’t widespread, said field trial coordinator Jordona Kirby.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 26, 2022

In 1944, however, laboratory tests showed that DDT could kill the adults, and that it was worthy of field trial.

From Northern Nut Growers Association Report of the Proceedings at the 44th Annual Meeting Rochester, N.Y. August 31 and September 1, 1953 by Northern Nut Growers Association