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

Let Nell Benjamin write some music for it and do a pre-Broadway tryout. —Tom Smyth, Vulture, 7 Jan. 2026

She was killed in a shooting on Christmas Day, before tryout results were announced. —Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026

Verb

Across the nation, lawmakers are trying out policies to defray costs or provide new forms of help. —Kat McGowan, NPR, 30 Dec. 2025

From metal shoe racks to stackable bins, our team tried out top shoe storage options and cataloged their favorites after several weeks of testing. —Lauren Arzbaecher, Architectural Digest, 30 Dec. 2025

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