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proof of concept

American  
[proof uhv kon-sept] / ˈpruf əv ˈkɒn sɛpt /

noun

  1. a small-scale demonstration that a business plan, product in development, etc., is likely to be successful in later stages (often used attributively): The next step is a proof-of-concept clinical trial to evaluate the drug.

    A rough prototype of the device was constructed as proof of concept.

    The next step is a proof-of-concept clinical trial to evaluate the drug.


proof of concept British  

noun

  1. commerce the stage during the development of a product when it is established that the product will function as intended

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of proof of concept

First recorded in 1965–70

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.

Crypto firms seek 24/7 blockchain stock trading, but the SEC’s exemption is expected to be incremental, a “proof of concept”.

From Barron's

The idea would be to allow firms to perform a “proof of concept” for on-chain trading that could be used to inform a longer-term rule-making process down the road, Atkins said.

From Barron's

At this stage, MultiQ-IT is not yet a finished commercial product but rather a proof of concept showing what is achievable.

From Science Daily

Although the current device serves as a proof of concept, it points toward practical applications.

From Science Daily

For Painter, whose program thrives by developing players year-over-year instead of serving as a stepping stone for future NBA stars, Smith’s evolution has been the perfect proof of concept.

From The Wall Street Journal