tryout

1 of 2

noun

try·​out ˈtrī-ˌau̇t 

: an experimental performance or demonstration: such as

a

: a test of the ability (as of an athlete or actor) to fill a part or meet standards

b

: a performance of a play prior to its official opening to determine response and discover weaknesses

try out

2 of 2

verb

tried out; trying out; tries out

intransitive verb

: to compete for a position especially on an athletic team or for a part in a play

Examples of tryout in a Sentence

Noun

Open tryouts for the team are next Monday.

Verb

want to try out my new skateboard?

tried out his skill at archery

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Mega jam band Phish will return to its traditional perch at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City this summer after a tryout at Boulder’s Folsom Field last year. —John Wenzel, Denver Post, 18 Feb. 2026

After beginning last summer in the Bulls’ program, the Heat offered a tryout contract in August, with Young showing enough during training camp and the preseason to earn his two-way deal. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2026

Verb

The challenges associated with this path are everywhere; at a bigger school, there may be so many kids who try out for the team there are often not enough spots. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Feb. 2026

Alibaba is spending a whopping CNY3 billion, about $434 million, to get users to try out Qwen. —Eunice Yoon, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1903, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1909, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tryout

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout

Kids Definition

tryout

1 of 2 noun

try·​out ˈtrī-ˌau̇t 

: a test of the ability (as of an actor or athlete) to fill a part or meet standards

try out

2 of 2 verb

(ˈ)trī-ˈau̇t

: to take part in a tryout especially for a position on an athletic team or a part in a play