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• road test
  road test

  noun

  a check of an automobile's performance in actual operation on the road.
• road-test
  road-test

  verb (used with object)

  to test (an automotive vehicle) under normal operating conditions on the road, as by a potential purchaser.

road test

¹ American  

noun

1. a check of an automobile's performance in actual operation on the road.

2. an examination of a person's driving skill, conducted in normal traffic, especially as a requirement for an automobile driver's license.

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road-test ² American  

[rohd-test] / ˈroʊdˌtɛst /

verb (used with object)

1. to test (an automotive vehicle) under normal operating conditions on the road, as by a potential purchaser.

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road test British  

noun

1. a test to ensure that a vehicle is roadworthy, esp after repair or servicing, by driving it on roads

2. a test of something in actual use

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verb

1. to test (a vehicle) in this way

2. to test (something) in a real and appropriate context

Etymology

Origin of road test

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

road test road-test

But it also true that Burnham's time as the Mayor of Greater Manchester has allowed him to develop and road test a political outlook he now wants to extend to the UK as a whole.

From BBC ● Jun. 29, 2026

The Rams will rack up nearly 35,000 miles road trip miles this season, with their first big road test coming in Week 3 against the Super Bowl champion Eagles.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 14, 2025

Both quarterbacks are first-year starters, but for Penn State sophomore Drew Allar this will be his first big road test.

From Washington Times ● Oct. 18, 2023

In this study, researchers examined the ability of the VDA, delivered at the time of the licensing road test, to predict crash risk in the first year after obtaining licensure in the state of Ohio.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2023

She was excited about her road test, and so happy with her bracelet.

From "Schooled" by Gordon Korman

I did not, so I arranged to road-test the Breville Oracle Jet—a foolproof Cadillac for cappuccino lovers, I was told.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 7, 2025

In 2024 the group were among Scottish musicians raising concerns over possible arts funding cuts, while a short tour saw them road-test new songs in some of the country's smaller venues.

From BBC ● Dec. 24, 2024

Tesla dropped seven spots to No. 23, mostly because of its “difficult-to-use” yoke steering wheel added to the Model S and Model X, which lowered their road-test scores, Consumer Reports said.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 17, 2022

Toyota’s Cyber Ninjas are currently auditing road-test results.

From Washington Post ● Jul. 6, 2021

States should get the chance to road-test their preferred methods within days.

From Washington Times ● Dec. 7, 2020