Synonyms

trial run

American

noun

a preliminary performance or test of something, as of the operation of a ship or the effectiveness of a play.

trial run British

noun

a test drive in a vehicle to assess its performance
a test or rehearsal of something new or untried to assess its effectiveness

"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

Etymology

Origin of trial run

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A robot with expressive eyebrows that is designed to perform basic tasks to free up healthcare workers is being given a trial run by a hospital in Milan.

From Barron's • Jun. 19, 2026

Following a trial run, the retailer will also expand its fine-jewelry offerings — an area it has tried to reinvigorate in recent years — to 350 more locations.

From MarketWatch • May 28, 2026

When Margaret spoke with Salon in April, she was in the middle of a monthlong trial run working remotely to get a feel for her workflow for when she and Dale eventually move.

From Salon • May 18, 2025

Before Djokovic's quarter-final on Tuesday, Murray told BBC Sport he was enjoying the experience of what is initially a trial run in Melbourne.

From BBC • Jan. 21, 2025

I had been so lost in thinking about the dream that I hadn’t even felt him take my hand to start that trial run.

From "The Darkest Minds" by Alexandra Bracken

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023