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

Co-founded in 2024 by Justine Siegel, a coach and businesswoman, and Keith Stein, an attorney and professional hockey executive, the WPBL announced tryouts for August 2025 and attracted 600 women. — James Raia, Mercury News, 31 July 2026

Ann Meyers signed with the Indiana Pacers in 1979 and became the first woman to receive an NBA tryout. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026

Verb

Until the MacBook Neo launched in March, the Air was also the easiest laptop to recommend for someone who wanted to try out macOS. — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 3 Aug. 2026

Throughout the route, rest stops featured live music, fitness classes, art installations and activities for families, including a zip-line, which CBS News New York's Elijah Westbrook tried out himself. — Elijah Westbrook, CBS News, 1 Aug. 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