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

Benya and other pyrotechnicians were wiring up hundreds of racks of comets—which resembled opaque, oversized test tubes—affixing them to plywood slabs and placing them on the duvetyn. — Paige Williams, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026

There are of course wands, with some of the most exclusive ones contained in glass cabinets surrounded by multi-colored glass potion bottles, magic books and test tubes. — Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 31 July 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