laboratory test

noun

variants or lab test

: a test conducted under controlled scientific conditions in a laboratory or similar setting

… in laboratory tests of acyclovir, herpes strains have mutated to forms resistant to the drug.

—Linda Garmon

We've measured the amount of soap in shampoos and used lab tests to determine cleaning action and pH.

—Consumer Reports

specifically, medical : a test (such as a blood test or urinalysis procedure) performed by a medical laboratory on a specimen taken from a patient

Even experienced doctors cannot distinguish "strep" throat from other-caused sore throats without a laboratory test of fluid taken from the throat.

—Melva Weber

Those two values are seen with a complete blood count, the lab test that enumerates the number of white and red blood cells.

—Paul G. Donahue

laboratory testing noun

or less commonly lab testing

… it has survived nearly two years of strenuous independent laboratory testing and been certified safe for home and commercial use.

—Harper's

Examples of laboratory test in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Public health officials don’t rely solely on laboratory tests to identify the source of a foodborne outbreak, said Donald Schaffner, a food microbiology professor and chair of the food science department at Rutgers University. — Berkeley Lovelace Jr, NBC news, 20 July 2026

Although patients may have insurance, these overzealous laboratory tests and specialist referrals often leave patients holding the bag when their insurance companies refuse to cover. — Eric Khant, Sun Sentinel, 19 July 2026

Several months later, the medical examiner updated its statement to say that laboratory tests showed that Trachtenberg died from complications of diabetes. — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 17 July 2026

In laboratory tests, fleets of four and eight robots autonomously assembled into target structures, disconnected, reassembled into new shapes, and operated as a single rigid vessel capable of collective movement. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for laboratory test

• abreast
• accessed
• addressed
• appressed
• armrest
• arrest
• assessed
• attest
• backrest
• behest
• bequest
• caressed