tester

1 of 3

noun (1)

test·​er ˈte-stər How to pronounce tester (audio)
: one that tests or is used for testing

tester

2 of 3

noun (2)

tes·​ter ˈtē-stər How to pronounce tester (audio) ˈte- How to pronounce tester (audio)
: the canopy over a bed, pulpit, or altar

tester

3 of 3

noun (3)

tes·​ter ˈte-stər How to pronounce tester (audio)

Examples of tester 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.
Noun
Two didn’t return tester calls about credit check policies. Robin Urevich, USA Today, 15 Jan. 2026 Our weeklong tester boasted the Executive Package, M Driver package and M Carbon upgrades, adding about $10K on top of the $121K base price. Marc D. Grasso, Boston Herald, 15 Jan. 2026 The cookies were removed from their packaging and cut into quarters for testers to be able to taste them without any identifying factors. Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 14 Jan. 2026 Our staff and testers A beauty product is a personal purchase. Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 12 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tester

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

Middle English, headboard of a bed, canopy, from Anglo-French, from teste head, from Late Latin testa skull, from Latin, shell

Noun (3)

modification of Middle French testart, from teston

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1661, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1546, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tester was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tester.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tester. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.

Kids Definition

tester

1 of 2 noun
tes·​ter ˈtēs-tər How to pronounce tester (audio) ˈtes- How to pronounce tester (audio)
: a canopy or a frame for a canopy over a bed, pulpit, or altar

tester

2 of 2 noun
test·​er
ˈtes-tər
: one that tests

More from Merriam-Webster on tester

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