trial run

noun

: a testing exercise : experiment

Examples of trial run in a Sentence

They will put the software through many trial runs before putting it on the market. We will have to give the machine a trial run.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And those were the juxtaposing opinions throughout a trial run of an evening as Florida faced Long Island University to open the 2025 season. Noah White, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2025 After completing the course, Elia proudly showed his certificate to the shop owner, who gave him a trial run to repair phones. Maryanne Murray Buechner, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025 The next month, Westman described making a trial run by going to Mass in the morning and testing doors. Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2025 Trump has cast the move as a trial run before potentially expanding the federal crime crackdown to other blue cities. Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 14 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for trial run

Word History

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of trial run was in 1903

Cite this Entry

“Trial run.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trial%20run. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on trial run

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!