test

noun \ ˈtest \

Updated on: 28 Feb 2018

Definition of test

1 a : 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 constituent

b : a positive result in such a test

2 a (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 : criterion

b : an ordeal or oath required as proof of conformity with a set of beliefs

c chiefly British : cupel

3 : a result or value determined by testing

4 : test match

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 2c

See Words from the same year

Other Education Terms

baccalaureate, colloquium, corequisite, dissertation, monograph, pedant, practicum, survey course, thesis

test

verb

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

1 a : to undergo a test

b : 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

—

testability

play \ˌte-stə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

—

testable

play \ˈte-stə-bəl\ adjective

— test the waters or less commonly test the water

: to make a preliminary test or survey (as of reaction or interest) before embarking on a course of action

See test defined for English-language learners

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

1748

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

test Synonyms

Synonyms

strain, stretch, tax, try;

aggravate, agitate, annoy, bother, exasperate, gall, get (to), gnaw (at), grate, harass, harry, hassle, irk, irritate, nettle, pain, peeve, pester, rile, spite, vex;

Other Education Terms

baccalaureate, colloquium, corequisite, dissertation, monograph, pedant, practicum, survey course, thesis

test

adjective

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

First Known Use of test

1687

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

test

noun

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1842

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Test

abbreviation

Definition of Test

Testament

Other Bible Terms

antediluvian, apocalyptic, apocrypha, behemoth

TEST Defined for English Language Learners

test

verb

Definition of test for English Language Learners

: to use a set of questions or problems to measure someone's skills, knowledge, or abilities
: to examine a part of the body or a substance taken from the body
: 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

test

noun \ ˈtest \

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.”

test

verb

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

test

noun \ ˈtest \

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: as

a (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 test

b : a diagnostic procedure for determining the presence or nature of a condition or disease or for revealing a change in function

c : 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

transitive verb

medical Definition of test

: to subject to a test

intransitive verb

1 : to undergo a test

2 : to apply a test as a means of analysis or diagnosis —used with for

test for the presence of starch

test

adjective

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

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

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up test? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

test

Definition of test

Origin and Etymology of test

Other Education Terms

test

Definition of test

testability

testable

Examples of test in a Sentence

First Known Use of test

test Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Other Education Terms

test

Definition of test

First Known Use of test

test

Definition of test

Origin and Etymology of test

Test

Definition of Test

Other Bible Terms

Phrases Related to TEST

Related Phrases

TEST Defined for English Language Learners

test

Definition of test for English Language Learners

TEST Defined for Kids

test

Definition of test for Students

History for test

test

Definition of test for Students

Medical Dictionary

test

medical Definition of test

test

medical Definition of test

test

medical Definition of test

Learn More about test

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

'Complement' vs. 'Compliment'

Trending: HRC: Media Opened Door to 'Charlatans'

Going Greek: 7 Words from the Greek Alphabet

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes