proving ground

American  

noun

1. any place, context, or area for testing something, as a piece of scientific equipment, a theory, etc.

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proving ground British  

noun

1. a place or situation in which something new, such as equipment or a theory, can be tested

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Etymology

Origin of proving ground

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

The IPL, critics argued, was a domestic proving ground - impressive, but not definitive.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

Big hospital systems have become the proving ground for widespread AI adoption, testing what the technology can do, but also revealing—sometimes via alarming mishaps—where it falls flat.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 5, 2026

The 1988 protests were a proving ground for activists, some still challenging military rule today.

From Barron's • Dec. 23, 2025

But, the thinking went, there is a perfect proving ground conveniently circling the Earth, never more than about three days’ travel time away.

From Slate • Dec. 9, 2025

King Ogunwe hurried forward, as did the other commanders and the engineers, who had thrown open the doors and let the light flood out over the proving ground.

From "The Amber Spyglass" by Philip Pullman