stress test

¹

noun

1. a test, especially one conducted in a laboratory, to determine how much pressure, tension, wear, or the like a given product or material can withstand.

2. Medicine/Medical.,  a test of cardiovascular health made by recording heart rate, blood pressure, electrocardiogram, and other parameters while a person undergoes physical exertion.

3. a simulation test to determine how a given institution, system, etc., would perform under greater than usual stresses or pressures.

   the government’s stress test for big banks;

   mandatory stress tests for nuclear plants;

   a website stress test that simulates peak traffic.

stress-test

²

[stres-test]

verb (used with object)

1. to subject to a stress test.

Other Word Forms

• stress-testing noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of stress test¹

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

“We welcome the regulators running these kinds of stress tests,” he said.

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As the dust settles, the H-1B shake-up looks less like a tax on foreign workers and more like a stress test for US companies - and the economy.

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But the council's statement said placing "unauthorised attachments" on street furniture could be dangerous - adding that "stress tests" were carried out by the council ahead of celebrations in the city.

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Lockdown served as a social stress test for many institutions.

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On Monday, the Fed announced it was evaluating major changes to the formula it uses for its stress tests.

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