test

[ test ]

/ tɛst /

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noun

the means by which the presence, quality, or genuineness of anything is determined; a means of trial.

the trial of the quality of something: to put to the test.

a particular process or method for trying or assessing.

a set of questions, problems, or the like, used as a means of evaluating the abilities, aptitudes, skills, or performance of an individual or group; examination.

Psychology. a set of standardized questions, problems, or tasks designed to elicit responses for use in measuring the traits, capacities, or achievements of an individual.

Chemistry.

the process of identifying or detecting the presence of a constituent of a substance, or of determining the nature of a substance, commonly by the addition of a reagent.
the reagent used.
an indication or evidence of the presence of a constituent, or of the nature of a substance, obtained by such means.

an oath or other confirmation of one's loyalty, religious beliefs, etc.

British. a cupel for refining or assaying metals.

verb (used with object)

to subject to a test of any kind; try.

Chemistry. to subject to a chemical test.

Metallurgy. to assay or refine in a cupel.

verb (used without object)

to undergo a test or trial; try out.

to perform on a test: People test better in a relaxed environment.

to conduct a test: to test for diabetes.

OTHER WORDS FOR test

1 proof, assay.

9 assay, prove; examine.

See synonyms for test on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of test

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English: test(e), tast(e) “crucible; cupel,” from Old French “test, teste,” Latin testū, testum “earthenware pot”; akin to test²

synonym study for test

1. See trial.

OTHER WORDS FROM test

test·a·ble, adjectivetest·a·bil·i·ty, nountest·ing·ly, adverbnon·test·a·ble, adjective

non·test·ing, adjectiveself-testing, adjectiveun·test·a·ble, adjectiveun·test·ed, adjectivewell-tested, adjective

Other definitions for test (2 of 4)

test²

[ test ]

/ tɛst /

noun

Zoology. the hard, protective shell or covering of certain invertebrates, as echinoderms or tunicates.

Botany. testa.

Origin of test

First recorded in 1840–45; from Latin testa “tile, shell, covering”; akin to test¹

Other definitions for test (3 of 4)

test.

abbreviation

testator.

testimony.

Other definitions for test (4 of 4)

Test.

abbreviation

Testament.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use test in a sentence

Navy’s past three games have been postponed — the first two because of outbreaks at Navy and the third after positive tests at South Florida.
Navy will host Memphis and Tulsa to make up games postponed by coronavirus issues|Kareem Copeland|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
He described the tests as the “backbone of our testing strategy,” adding that he bought them “at a time where there were no tests available in America.”
Hogan’s first batch of coronavirus tests from South Korea were flawed, never used|Steve Thompson|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
Like the others, he was surprised that this group — selected to focus on engineering test flights and medical scrutiny — became instant celebrities, feted as national heroes years before the rockets were ready to fly them.
Another look at John Glenn through a heroic lens|Francis French|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
So as test positivity in some parts of Maryland and Virginia declined this fall, some nursing homes tested workers less frequently than they had in the summer.
Maryland and Virginia nursing homes battle explosive covid-19 outbreaks — again|Rebecca Tan, Rachel Chason|November 20, 2020|Washington Post

The most up-to-date information on where to get a coronavirus test can be found here.
Virginia’s coronavirus numbers are rising. Here’s what you need to know.|Antonio Olivo|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
They are all de testable women; but the cook is the least ill-looking of the three.
No Name|Wilkie Collins

British Dictionary definitions for test (1 of 2)

test¹

/ (tɛst) /

verb

to ascertain (the worth, capability, or endurance) of (a person or thing) by subjection to certain examinations; try

(often foll by for) to carry out an examination on (a substance, material, or system) by applying some chemical or physical procedure designed to indicate the presence of a substance or the possession of a propertyto test food for arsenic; to test for magnetization

(intr) to achieve a specified result in a testa quarter of the patients at the clinic tested positive for the AIDS virus

(tr) to put under severe strainthe long delay tested my patience

test the water to make an exploratory or initial approach; sound out

noun

a method, practice, or examination designed to test a person or thing

a series of questions or problems designed to test a specific skill or knowledgean intelligence test

a standard of judgment; criterion

a chemical reaction or physical procedure for testing a substance, material, etc
a chemical reagent used in such a procedurelitmus is a test for acids
the result of the procedure or the evidence gained from itthe test for alcohol was positive

sport See test match

archaic a declaration or confirmation of truth, loyalty, etc; oath

(modifier) performed as a testtest drive; test flight

Derived forms of test

testable, adjectivetestability, nountesting, adjective

Word Origin for test

C14 (in the sense: vessel used in treating metals): from Latin testum earthen vessel

British Dictionary definitions for test (2 of 2)

test²

/ (tɛst) /

noun

the hard or tough outer covering of certain invertebrates and tunicates

a variant of testa

Word Origin for test

C19: from Latin testa shell

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with test

test

see acid test; put to the test.

test

OTHER WORDS FOR test

Origin of test

synonym study for test

OTHER WORDS FROM test

Other definitions for test (2 of 4)

Origin of test

Other definitions for test (3 of 4)

Other definitions for test (4 of 4)

Words related to test

How to use test in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for test (1 of 2)

Derived forms of test

Word Origin for test

British Dictionary definitions for test (2 of 2)

Word Origin for test

Other Idioms and Phrases with test