-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
dry run
noun
Examples of dry run in a Sentence
We did a dry run of the experiment.
After several dry runs, she was ready to give the speech.
Recent Examples on the Web
In addition to its flashy performance, the comet fragment’s breakup served as a dry run for experts hoping to defend the planet from large killer asteroids.
—Robin George Andrews, New York Times, 20 May 2024
So why not fantasize about what to buy your favorite TV characters instead—whether as a welcome distraction from the stresses of real-life shopping, or as a kind of dry run?
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 4 Dec. 2023
The training included a dry run of shooting down Israeli aircraft and taking over a kibbutz and a military training base, killing all the cadets.
—Adam Goldman, New York Times, 30 Nov. 2023
While the June dry run had recovery team members practicing the handling of a mock return capsule and delivery to a simulated clean room, the second session (which took place from July 18 to 20) was on location in the area of the Utah desert where the asteroid samples will arrive.
—Leonard David, Scientific American, 27 July 2023
The striking moment, facilitated once again by Peter Jackson’s audio technology, was a dry run for a reunion on record.
—Jordan Runtagh, Peoplemag, 26 Oct. 2023
The Biden team made scant secret that this speech in Tempe was a dry run for a likely campaign against Donald Trump.
—Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 9 Oct. 2023
The rocket was supposed to have made its dry run by 2017.
—Dallas News, 16 Nov. 2022
Follow the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's coverage of the first Republican presidential debate
More:Milwaukee gears up for Republican primary debate some see as dry run for 2024 RNC
What major events have happened there?
—Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dry run.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
circa 1941, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near dry run
Cite this Entry
“Dry run.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dry%20run. Accessed 17 Jun. 2024.
Kids Definition
dry run
noun1
: a practice firing without ammunition
2
: a practice exercise
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share