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 race will be a proving ground for 2028.

From Salon • Jun. 26, 2026

The Lobito Corridor mega-project linking three African countries is shifting from blueprint to proving ground in the global race for critical minerals.

From Barron's • May 7, 2026

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

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

The mine was restarted as a proving ground for Rio Tinto’s RIO 2.74%increase; green up pointing triangle new method of unlocking low-grade copper deposits.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 15, 2026

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