test
1 of 5noun (1)
ˈtest 
1
a
: a means of testing: such as
(1)
: something (such as a series of questions or exercises) for measuring the skill, knowledge, intelligence, capacities, or aptitudes of an individual or group
(2)
: a procedure, reaction, or reagent used to identify or characterize a substance or constituent
b
: a positive result in such a test
2
a(1)
: a critical examination, observation, or evaluation : trial
specifically : the procedure of submitting a statement to such conditions or operations as will lead to its proof or disproof or to its acceptance or rejection
a test of a statistical hypothesis
(2)
: a basis for evaluation : criterion
b
: an ordeal or oath required as proof of conformity with a set of beliefs
c
chiefly British : cupel
3
: a result or value determined by testing
4
: test match
test
2 of 5verb
tested; testing; tests
transitive verb
1
: to put to test or proof : try —often used with out
2
: to require a doctrinal oath of
intransitive verb
1
a
: to undergo a test
b
: to be assigned a standing or evaluation on the basis of tests
tested positive for cocaine
the cake tested done
2
: to apply a test as a means of analysis or diagnosis —used with for
test for mechanical aptitude
testability
ˌte-stə-ˈbi-lə-tē
noun testable
ˈte-stə-bəl
adjective test
3 of 5adjective
1
: of, relating to, or constituting a test
2
: subjected to, used for, or revealed by testing
a test group
test data
test
4 of 5noun (2)
: an external hard or firm covering (such as a shell) of many invertebrates (such as a foraminifer or a mollusk)
Test
5 of 5abbreviation
Testament
Synonyms
Noun (1)
- essay
- experiment
- experimentation
- trial
Verb
- sample
- try (out)
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb Weekly quizzes will test your understanding of the material. The students will all be tested again at the end of the school year. The school nurse will be testing students' hearing next week. She tested positive for AIDS. The water gets tested regularly.
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
Middle English, vessel in which metals were assayed, potsherd, from Anglo-French test, tees pot, Latin testum earthen vessel; akin to Latin testa earthen pot, shell
Noun (2)
Latin testa shell
First Known Use
Noun (1)
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2c
Verb
1748, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Adjective
1687, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun (2)
circa 1842, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing test
Kids Definition
test 1 of 2
noun
ˈtest
1
: a set of questions or problems by which a person's knowledge, intelligence, or skills are measured
2
: a means of finding out the nature, quality, or value of something
… she told me about the illness that was the true test of her bravery.
Ellen Raskin, The Westing Game
Ellen Raskin, The Westing Gametest
2 of 2verb
tested; testing
1
: to measure a person's knowledge, intelligence, or skills
2
: to find out the nature, quality, or value of something
Medical Definition
test 1 of 3
noun
ˈtest
1
: a critical examination, observation, evaluation, or trial
specifically : the procedure of submitting a statement to such conditions or operations as will lead to its proof or disproof or to its acceptance or rejection
a test of a statistical hypothesis
2
: a means of testing: as
a(1)
: a procedure or reaction used to identify or characterize a substance or constituent
a test for starch using iodine
(2)
: a reagent used in such a test
b
: a diagnostic procedure for determining the presence or nature of a condition or disease or for revealing a change in function
c
: something (as a series of questions or exercises) for measuring the skill, knowledge, intelligence, capacities, or aptitudes of an individual or group
3
: a result or value determined by testing
test
2 of 3transitive verb
: to subject to a test
intransitive verb
1
: to undergo a test
2
: to apply a test as a means of analysis or diagnosis —used with for
test for the presence of starch
test
3 of 3adjective
1
: of, relating to, or constituting a test
the test environment affected the scores
2
: subjected to, used for, or revealed by testing
test substances
test 1 of 2
noun
1
as in experiment
a procedure or operation carried out to resolve an uncertainty will need to run some tests on the blood sample to rule out blood poisoning Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- experiment
- experimentation
- trial
- try
- practice
- attempt
- essay
- effort
- exercise
- tryout
- trial and error
- practise
- dry run
- rehearsal
- crucible
- shakedown
- workout
- ordeal
2
as in exam
a set of questions or problems designed to assess knowledge, skills, or intelligence applicants for the cashier's position must first take a simple math test Synonyms & Similar Words
- exam
- examination
- quiz
- research
- retest
- final
- review
- pretest
- audition
- investigation
- inspection
- placement test
- intelligence test
- aptitude test
- midterm
- probe
- inquiry
- checkup
- board(s)
- catechism
- midyear
- interrogation
test
2 of 2verb
1
as in to sample
to put (something) to a test please test this sample for the presence of lead Synonyms & Similar Words
- sample
- examine
- research
- investigate
- retest
- explore
- study
- try (out)
- resample
- experiment (with)
- check (out)
- feel (out)
2
as in to try
to subject (a personal quality or faculty) to often excessive stress all of these unnecessary questions are testing my patience Synonyms & Similar Words
- try
- stretch
- push
- strain
- tax
- pressure
- bother
- get (to)
- annoy
- exact
- demand
- irritate
- press
- pain
- spite
- grate
- harry
- importune
- harass
- aggravate
- gnaw (at)
- peeve
- pester
- exasperate
- agitate
- nettle
- irk
- gall
- rile
- vex
- hassle