test-tube

1 of 2

adjective

ˈtes(t)-ˌt(y)üb 

1

: in vitro

test-tube experiments

2

: produced by in vitro fertilization

test-tube babies

test tube

2 of 2

noun

: a plain or lipped tube usually of thin glass closed at one end and used especially in chemistry and biology

Examples of test-tube in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

After developing into an embryo in a test-tube, it’s implanted into the womb of a female surrogate animal. —Emily Mullin, Wired News, 7 Apr. 2025

National Geographic harnesses some of that tendency in this kit that contains instructions and equipment for 15 different gross experiments with themes like boiling boogers, farting slime, bursting blood cells, eyeballs, and test-tube vomit. —Cheryl Fenton, Parents, 5 Dec. 2024

Noun

The suitcase's superpower is, first, that a swab placed into a little test tube can simultaneously test for multiple diseases. —Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 14 Mar. 2025

The former reality star captioned the video post with three emojis: a microphone, a snake and a test tube filled with a green substance. —Raven Brunner, People.com, 30 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1866, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1846, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for test-tube

• boob
• cube
• lube
• rube
• tube
• hypercube
• nanotube
• phototube

Kids Definition

test tube

noun

: a tube of thin glass closed at one end and used especially in chemistry and biology

Medical Definition

test-tube

1 of 2 adjective

1

: in vitro

test-tube experiments

2

: produced by in vitro fertilization

test-tube babies

test tube

2 of 2 noun

: a plain or lipped tube usually of thin glass closed at one end and used especially in chemistry and biology