test case

American  

noun

1. a typical case whose court decision may be interpreted as a precedent for application in future similar cases.

2. a legal action taken, sometimes deliberately by agreement of both parties, with a special view to determining the position of the law on some matter, as the constitutionality of a statute.

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test case British  

noun

1. a legal action that serves as a precedent in deciding similar succeeding cases

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Etymology

Origin of test case

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Kaley’s lawsuit is a test case chosen from among hundreds alleging that social media apps were designed to snare young kids and keep them hooked.

From Los Angeles Times

The ruling amounted to a test case of South Carolina’s stand-your-ground law—which, like similar statutes in states around the U.S., provides criminal and civil immunity in self-defense killings.

From The Wall Street Journal

Her lawsuit is a test case chosen from among hundreds charging that Instagram and YouTube were designed to snare young users and keep them hooked on their services.

From Los Angeles Times

For now, Music Mogul AI stands as a test case — not just of what technology can automate, but of how much of live music’s soul should be left to code.

From Los Angeles Times

Kaley’s suit is being tried as a test case for a much larger group of actions in California state court.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• precedent