tryout

play

noun try·out \ ˈtrī-ˌau̇t \

Definition of tryout

: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

See tryout defined for English-language learners

See tryout defined for kids

Examples of tryout in a Sentence

Open tryouts for the team are next Monday.

Recent Examples of tryout from the Web

Park district employees in those communities did not know of any PBL tryouts.

— ruth ann krause, Post-Tribune, "Former EC basketball star returned to Lake jail after two years," 29 Aug. 2017
With the expansion draft completed, Dean and his staff will turn their focus to an open tryout in Oskosh on Sept. 23, which is sure to draw players of all ability levels.

— matt velazquez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Wisconsin Herd takes first step toward building a roster," 23 Aug. 2017
Other schools, such as Howard, Marriotts Ridge and Reservoir, have the majority of their programs waiting until Aug. 14 to begin tryouts.

— brent kennedy, Howard County Times, "Howard County teams kick off 2017 fall season with opening day of tryouts," 9 Aug. 2017
Like the one from 1968, when Devere Fair gathered his sturdiest kids at Decatur Central at one end of the field for punting tryouts.

— gregg doyel, Indianapolis Star, "Doyel: Indiana HOF coach walked away at age 35. Why? His son wasn't going to die on a football field," 9 Aug. 2017
From there, Dorman's first tattoo tryout was on his other father.

— lilian min, Cosmopolitan, "Would You Let This 12-Year-Old Tattoo You?," 1 Aug. 2017
For all the Pattersons and Osbornes with a dollar-and-a-dream attitude, many at the tryouts have a background announcing for high school or colleges or smaller markets.

— jen kirby, Daily Intelligencer, "Meet the Future Voice of the Brooklyn Nets. Maybe.," 21 July 2017
Travis Wood is also enjoying a bit of an open tryout for the Royals' fifth starter spot. ...

— kirkland crawford, Detroit Free Press, "Game thread: Detroit Tigers sans J.D. Martinez face Kansas City Royals," 18 July 2017
But the real highlight of the day came during a quiet moment in the clubhouse, where Brady and Greg Millichap, his high school teammate who was also invited to the tryout, came upon Ken Griffey Jr.’s locker.

— tim rohan, The MMQB, "That Time a 17-Year-Old Tom Brady Borrowed Ken Griffey Jr.’s Jersey," 10 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tryout.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of tryout

1903

try out

verb

Definition of try out

intransitive verb

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

See try out defined for kids

Examples of try out in a Sentence

want to try out my new skateboard?
tried out his skill at archery

First Known Use of try out

1909

TRYOUT Defined for English Language Learners

tryout

play

noun

Definition of tryout for English Language Learners

: a test of someone's ability to do something that is used to see if he or she should join a team, perform in a play, etc.
: a test of the quality, value, or usefulness of something