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
tested; testing; tests
1
: to put to test or proof : try
—often used with out
2
: to require a doctrinal oath of
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
1
: of, relating to, or constituting a test
2
: subjected to, used for, or revealed by testing
a test group
test data
: an external hard or firm covering (such as a shell) of many invertebrates (such as a foraminifer or a mollusk)
Examples of test in a Sentence
Noun (1)
will need to run some tests on the blood sample to rule out blood poisoning
applicants for the cashier's position must first take a simple math test
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 the disease.
The water gets tested regularly.
Recent Examples on the Web
Berkeley Lovelace Jr, NBC news, 31 Oct. 2025
That fingerprint was sufficient enough to qualify for a warrant to search the rest of the Norman home, where tests of the pipes leading out of the washing machine revealed some matter containing Beryl’s DNA.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
But few, if any, are likely to have gone on the kind of journey Rachel Mae has been on since deciding to get her dogs tested.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Jon Stojan, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
Our testers evaluated and recorded their pre-test teeth color using the VITA Guide, brushed with the toothpastes as directed for several weeks, and then reevaluated teeth color.
—Danielle Zoellner, Verywell Health, 31 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for test
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Paying cash can sometimes save money on smaller, predictable expenses — like an X-ray, or a routine lab test — but health insurance is meant to protect against unexpected, high-cost emergencies.
—Berkeley Lovelace Jr, NBC news, 31 Oct. 2025
That fingerprint was sufficient enough to qualify for a warrant to search the rest of the Norman home, where tests of the pipes leading out of the washing machine revealed some matter containing Beryl’s DNA.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
Given the Frenchman’s frightening form — already up to 18 goals for club and country this season — expect to see Mbappe looking to test the millimetric precision of the Barcelona high line once again.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
But few, if any, are likely to have gone on the kind of journey Rachel Mae has been on since deciding to get her dogs tested.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Tools like Enhancv’s resume checker even enable users to pre-test ATS compatibility, helping to ensure that a resume has a better chance of getting in front of a human recruiter.
—Jon Stojan, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
Our testers evaluated and recorded their pre-test teeth color using the VITA Guide, brushed with the toothpastes as directed for several weeks, and then reevaluated teeth color.
—Danielle Zoellner, Verywell Health, 31 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for test
Cite this Entry
“Test.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/test. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
test
1 of 3 noun1
: a means of finding out the nature, quality, or value of something
put the new car to the test
2
: a procedure or method for identifying something
a test for starch
allergy tests
3
: a set of questions or problems designed to find out a person's knowledge, skills, or intelligence
4
: a result of or rating based on a test
uses 80-pound test fishing line
test
2 of 3 verb1
: to put to test or proof : try
test out your strength
2
a
: to take part in a test
actors testing for roles in the play
b
: to achieve or be assigned a rating on the basis of tests
the class tested high in math
3
: to use tests as a way to analyze or identify
test for copper
testable
adjective
ˈtes-tə-bəl
test
3 of 3 noun
: a firm or rigid covering (as a shell) of many invertebrates
Medical Definition
test
1 of 3 noun1
: 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 3 transitive verb
: to subject to a test
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 3 adjective1
: of, relating to, or constituting a test
the test environment affected the scores
2
: subjected to, used for, or revealed by testing
test substances
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