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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There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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

That’s where another metric — test per case — becomes useful.
The new Covid-19 case surge in Europe, explained|Julia Belluz|September 17, 2020|Vox
Until we fix our public school customer service problem, parents will continue to fire our schools, no matter how well we teach, build new facilities, structure magnet programs or tout our test scores.
Our Public Schools Have a Customer Service Problem|Thomas Courtney|September 10, 2020|Voice of San Diego
Everybody who comes into the facility every day takes the test.
Why Can’t Schools Get What the N.F.L. Has? (Ep. 431)|Stephen J. Dubner|September 10, 2020|Freakonomics
In one 2010 study, Roediger and two other colleagues compared test results of students who reread material to two other groups.
Top 10 tips on how to study smarter, not longer|Kathiann Kowalski|September 9, 2020|Science News For Students

Another test was records of a soccer game played with robots, called RoboCup, in which NDTT had to predict the next event in the game—a pass to a certain player, a kick at the goal, or an attempt to steal.
Disco, bell bottoms, big hair…and cutting-edge A.I.?|Jeremy Kahn|September 8, 2020|Fortune
The at-home genetics testing company 23andme, established in 2006, helps people learn more about their “DNA relatives.”
Nothing Says I Love You Like Data|The Daily Beast|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But it is a worrying claim nonetheless, one of many testing the boundaries of this new area of law.
Catholic Church: Religious Freedom Trumps Civil Rights|Jay Michaelson|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Testing methods can now detect HIV within ten days of infection.
The Outrageous Celibacy Requirement for Gay Blood Donors|Jay Michaelson|November 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Later testing determined that she was negative for HIV, the woman told the court.
Commando Colonel Accused of Exposing his Lover to HIV|Jacob Siegel|November 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In other words, companies will still be allowed to enact their drug-testing policies.
Can Congress Get Stoned Now That D.C. Has Legalized Marijuana?|Abby Haglage|November 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The position tried him sorely, testing his new strength from such amazing and unexpected angles.
The Wave|Algernon Blackwood
Within a few more months he determined on constructing an engine for the purpose of more accurately testing those views.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2)|Francis Trevithick
The idea delighted her, and she closed her fingers in a tight grip as if testing their possibilities.
Those Dale Girls|Frank Weston Carruth
They seldom have an opportunity of testing it; Professor Towne has a pure heart and he has brains.
Tessa Wadsworth's Discipline|Jennie M. Drinkwater
Thyrsis in these days was like a wild animal in a cage; pacing back and forth and testing every corner of his prison.
Love's Pilgrimage|Upton Sinclair

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