test-tube

adjective \ ˈtes(t)-ˌt(y)üb \

|Updated on: 4 Aug 2018

Definition of test-tube

1 : in vitro

test-tube experiments

2 : produced by in vitro fertilization

test-tube babies

First Known Use of test-tube

1866

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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test tube

noun

Definition of test tube

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

See test tube defined for English-language learners

See test tube defined for kids

Recent Examples of test tube from the Web

Or the Boston Cream Pie push pops served by Bristol-Myers Squibb in what resembled tiny test tubes.

— jonathan saltzman, BostonGlobe.com, "For smaller companies, a presence at BIO conference is a big deal," 7 June 2018
In human cells in a test tube and in mice bearing human senescent cells, the dasatinib-quercitin cocktail showed equally promising results, targeting senescent cells while leaving other cells intact.

— melissa healy, latimes.com, "This drug cocktail reduced signs of age-related diseases and extended life in mice and human cells," 10 July 2018
Please let this run be real for them, and for soccer itself, giving proof that romantic stories do happen outside of a test tube.

— martin rogers, USA TODAY, "Let's hope Russia doesn't end up ruining this amazing World Cup," 7 July 2018
There are a few possibilities for what this future technology will look like, from genetic modification of existing organs to brand new organs grown in test tubes and petri dishes.

— avery thompson, Popular Mechanics, "This Patch of 3D-Printed Flesh Is a Step Toward a Full 3D-Printed Heart," 3 July 2018
Lawrence Lacks, the executor of Lacks’s estate, said the family did not know until many years after his mother died that her cells were living in test tubes in science labs across the world.

— deneen l. brown, Washington Post, "Can the ‘immortal cells’ of Henrietta Lacks sue for their own rights?," 25 June 2018
The only studies done on the topic showing negative effect have used test tubes ofanimal models.

— jaclyn london, ms, rd, cdn, Good Housekeeping, "How Kelly Clarkson Lost Nearly 40 Pounds on the Plant Paradox Diet," 25 June 2018
Culture is associated with chemistry, and the chemistry of a company is not easily reduced to molecules in a test tube.

— neil senturia, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Creating a feeling of belonging is critical to your company's success," 25 June 2018
Teams led by that duo and, separately, by Šikšnys first showed that the immune system of bacteria, CRISPR, could be paired with the Cas9 enzyme to alter purified DNA floating outside cells, in test tubes.

— sharon begley, STAT, "Who gets credit for CRISPR? Prestigious award singles out three, and leaves out a notable scientist," 31 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'test tube.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of test tube

1846

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

TEST-TUBE Defined for English Language Learners

test tube

noun

Definition of test tube for English Language Learners

: a glass container that is shaped like a tube which is closed at one end and that is used especially in science experiments

TEST-TUBE Defined for Kids

test tube

noun

Definition of test tube for Students

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

Medical Dictionary

test-tube

adjective

medical Definition of test-tube

1 : in vitro

test-tube experiments

2 : produced by in vitro fertilization

test-tube babies

test tube

noun

medical Definition of test tube

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

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test-tube

Definition of test-tube

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test tube

Definition of test tube

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TEST-TUBE Defined for English Language Learners

test tube

Definition of test tube for English Language Learners

TEST-TUBE Defined for Kids

test tube

Definition of test tube for Students

Medical Dictionary

test-tube

medical Definition of test-tube

test tube

medical Definition of test tube

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