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

One particularly interesting test case is Japan, one of the rare places where monovalent shots have been in use recently. — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026

Fifty years ago, Massachusetts became a national test case for equity in schools, after riots erupted over policies meant to undo decades of harmful segregation. — Cameron Pugh, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Aug. 2026

Blackman said that language appears to point to American Samoa and could give the administration a distinct test case that has little to do with the broad rule settled in Barbara. — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 9 Aug. 2026

Real failures become test cases, so lessons learned turn into regression tests instead of just being written down. — Brian Greenberg, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for test case

• abase
• airspace
• apace
• backspace
• biface
• birthplace
• blackface
• boldface
• bookcase
• braincase
• briefcase
• carcase

Legal Definition

test case

see also:

case sense 1a