test case

noun

1
: a representative case whose outcome is likely to serve as a precedent
2
: a proceeding brought by agreement or on an understanding of the parties to obtain a decision as to the constitutionality of a statute

Examples of test case in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And nobody like to be the test case. Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026 Harm reduction is the strongest test case. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 15 May 2026 The test cases—meaning the HTML or other code that triggers an unsafe memory condition—are provided in each one and meet the same criteria Mozilla requires for all bugs to be considered security vulnerabilities in Firefox. Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 7 May 2026 Gotham’s $5 ticket initiative is, in many ways, a unique test case. Asli Pelit, New York Times, 6 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for test case

Word History

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of test case was in 1850

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Cite this Entry

“Test case.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/test%20case. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

Legal Definition

test case

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