trial balloon

noun

: a project or scheme tentatively announced in order to test public opinion

Examples of trial balloon in a Sentence

She's been floating trial balloons about a possible run for Congress.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Read the full story to find out which names are in the mix, including one high-level state official who has floated a trial balloon to land a seat on the high court, and proposals to reduce the political overtones to the judge selection process. Kathleen Hill, The Providence Journal, 11 Apr. 2026 That trial balloon was unveiled by Steve Sadin in a front-page News-Sun story late last month. Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026 The applicants suggested that the proposal is being presented as a trial balloon. George Avalos, Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2026 With affordability issues topping voters’ concerns in multiple surveys in recent months, the administration has floated a handful of trial balloons aimed at lowering the cost of buying a home, to mixed results. Bloomberg, Oc Register, 27 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for trial balloon

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of trial balloon was in 1826

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Cite this Entry

“Trial balloon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trial%20balloon. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.

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