test-tube

1 of 2

adjective

ˈtes(t)-ˌt(y)üb 

1

: in vitro

test-tube experiments

2

: produced by in vitro fertilization

test-tube babies

test tube

2 of 2

noun

: a plain or lipped tube usually of thin glass closed at one end and used especially in chemistry and biology

Examples of test-tube in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Studies show that concentrated clove products, such as clove oil, may be effective against certain bacteria, yeasts, and viruses in test-tube and animal studies. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 5 Mar. 2026

The world’s first test-tube baby was Louise Brown, born in England three years earlier. —Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Dec. 2025

Noun

If the pregnancy hormone hCG was detected, brown-red sediment would start to form in the test tube. —thehustle.co, 20 Mar. 2026

Last year two Belgian teenagers were charged with wildlife piracy in what Kenyan authorities called part of a trend in trafficking smaller and lesser known species after they were found with 5,000 ants in test tubes. —ABC News, 17 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1866, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1846, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for test-tube

• boob
• cube
• lube
• rube
• tube
• hypercube
• nanotube
• phototube

Kids Definition

test tube

noun

: a tube of thin glass closed at one end and used especially in chemistry and biology

Medical Definition

test-tube

1 of 2 adjective

1

: in vitro

test-tube experiments

2

: produced by in vitro fertilization

test-tube babies

test tube

2 of 2 noun

: a plain or lipped tube usually of thin glass closed at one end and used especially in chemistry and biology