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

The new declaration and the AHM share the perspective that what’s happening in math should be seen as a test case, not some siloed conflict that the rest of us can ignore. — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 14 Sep. 2026

That will likely be settled by whoever litigates first, and no company should want to be the test case. — Tomer Warschauer Nuni, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Cruz is the marquee test case — Variety war-gamed this exact scenario when the rule changed. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026

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

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