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

Michigan would be an interesting test case if the Wolverines lose to Indiana, Oregon and Ohio State but win the rest of their games. — Austin Meek, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

If Project Infinity stays on schedule, Tennessee could become an early test case for whether stellarator technology can move from experimental fusion systems to a grid-scale power plant. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026

It was rumored that smokejumpers might even become a test case for the consolidation, prompting speculation about shrinking budgets and potential base closures. — M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

What this means to you New Orleans may be the test case here, but this story reaches far beyond one city. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 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