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

Groves now provides a real-world test case for that approach, although the timeline for future commercial reactors could differ depending on their design, licensing and construction requirements. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 2026

First, the fascinating test case on the island of Barbuda, where the people there have found a way to run things without the usual, formal land rights. — Robert Smith, NPR, 5 Aug. 2026

Those three players, in many ways, are the test cases on which that strategy will be judged. — Brendan Marks, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026

It had never been used before, and prior efforts by the Justice Department earlier on after its creation to find a test case failed. — Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 30 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for test case

• abase
• airspace
• apace
• backspace
• biface
• birthplace
• blackface
• boldface
• bookcase
• braincase
• briefcase
• carcase

Legal Definition

test case

see also:

case sense 1a