Definition of test
1a : a means of testing: such as (1) : something (such as a series of questions or exercises) for measuring the skill, knowledge, intelligence, capacities, or aptitudes of an individual or group (2) : a procedure, reaction, or reagent used to identify or characterize a substance or constituentb : a positive result in such a test
2a (1) : a critical examination, observation, or evaluation : trial; specifically : the procedure of submitting a statement to such conditions or operations as will lead to its proof or disproof or to its acceptance or rejection a test of a statistical hypothesis (2) : a basis for evaluation : criterionb : an ordeal or oath required as proof of conformity with a set of beliefsc chiefly British : cupel
3 : a result or value determined by testing
4 : test match
Explore Merriam-Webster
Origin and Etymology of test
Middle English, vessel in which metals were assayed, potsherd, from Anglo-French test, tees pot, Latin testum earthen vessel; akin to Latin testa earthen pot, shell
Other Education Terms
test
Definition of test
transitive verb
1 : to put to test or proof : try —often used with out
2 : to require a doctrinal oath of
intransitive verb
1a : to undergo a testb : to be assigned a standing or evaluation on the basis of tests tested positive for cocaine the cake tested done
2 : to apply a test as a means of analysis or diagnosis —used with for test for mechanical aptitude
test the waters
or less commonlytest the water
: to make a preliminary test or survey (as of reaction or interest) before embarking on a course of action
First Known Use of test
1748
Other Education Terms
test
Definition of test
1 : of, relating to, or constituting a test
2 : subjected to, used for, or revealed by testing a test group test data
Examples of test in a Sentence
Weekly quizzes will test your understanding of the material.
The students will all be tested again at the end of the school year.
The school nurse will be testing students' hearing next week.
She tested positive for AIDS.
The water gets tested regularly.
First Known Use of test
1687
test
Definition of test
: an external hard or firm covering (such as a shell) of many invertebrates (such as a foraminifer or a mollusk)
Origin and Etymology of test
Latin testa shell
Test
Definition of Test
Testament
Other Bible Terms
TEST Defined for English Language Learners
test
Definition of test for English Language Learners
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: to use a set of questions or problems to measure someone's skills, knowledge, or abilities
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: to examine a part of the body or a substance taken from the body
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: to examine a small amount of water, soil, air, etc., in order to see if its quality is good, if it contains a dangerous substance, etc.
TEST Defined for Kids
Definition of test for Students
1 : a set of questions or problems by which a person's knowledge, intelligence, or skills are measured
2 : a means of finding out the nature, quality, or value of something … she told me about the illness that was the true test of her bravery. — Ellen Raskin, The Westing Game
History for test
The English word test first meant “a small bowl used in analyzing metals.” It came from a Latin word testum that meant “a bowl or pot made of clay.” The bowl called a test was used to examine things. That is why the word test came to mean “examination.”
Definition of test for Students
tested
;testing
1 : to measure a person's knowledge, intelligence, or skills
2 : to find out the nature, quality, or value of something
Medical Dictionary
Medical Definition of test
1: a critical examination, observation, evaluation, or trial; specifically : the procedure of submitting a statement to such conditions or operations as will lead to its proof or disproof or to its acceptance or rejection a test of a statistical hypothesis
2: a means of testing: asa (1): a procedure or reaction used to identify or characterize a substance or constituent a test for starch using iodine (2): a reagent used in such a testb: a diagnostic procedure for determining the presence or nature of a condition or disease or for revealing a change in functionc: something (as a series of questions or exercises) for measuring the skill, knowledge, intelligence, capacities, or aptitudes of an individual or group
3: a result or value determined by testing
test
Medical Definition of test
: to subject to a test
1
intransitive verb
: to undergo a test2: to apply a test as a means of analysis or diagnosis—used with for test for the presence of starch
test
Medical Definition of test
1: of, relating to, or constituting a test the test environment affected the scores
2: subjected to, used for, or revealed by testing test substances
Learn More about test
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See words that rhyme with test Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for test Spanish Central: Translation of test Nglish: Translation of test for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of test for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about test
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