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
Today, the city stands as a test case for how effectively a community can implement police reform without a court order and the accountability that comes with federal intervention.
—
Topher Sanders, ProPublica, 2 June 2026
With the primary season wrapping up across the country, the contentious race in Michigan is increasingly seen as a test case for where the party and its base are headed into the November election and beyond.
—ABC News, 28 May 2026
Any large private company can be next SpaceX makes an almost perfect test case, and that is the warning.
—Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
The minimum wage was a perfect test case for the trade-off theory of growth versus fairness—and the theory failed.
—Nick Hanauer, The Atlantic, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for test case
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.
Topher Sanders, ProPublica, 2 June 2026
With the primary season wrapping up across the country, the contentious race in Michigan is increasingly seen as a test case for where the party and its base are headed into the November election and beyond.
—ABC News, 28 May 2026
Any large private company can be next SpaceX makes an almost perfect test case, and that is the warning.
—Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
The minimum wage was a perfect test case for the trade-off theory of growth versus fairness—and the theory failed.
—Nick Hanauer, The Atlantic, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for test case
Cite this Entry
“Test case.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/test%20case. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
