tryout

noun

try·out | \ ˈtrī-ˌau̇t

Definition of tryout

(Entry 1 of 2)

: 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

verb

Definition of try out (Entry 2 of 2)

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

After one parent made a complaint that a child didn’t make the cut after last month’s tryouts, Hanover Park High School officials rolled out the new policy — which triggered backlash of its own. — Paulina Dedaj, Fox News, "'Inclusive' cheerleading policy rolled out at high school after parent complained child missed the cut," 2 Oct. 2018 Whether this classification is appropriate can be debated: NFL teams operate throughout the year and between tryouts, practices, games and various public appearances, cheerleaders are engaged in many months of work. — Michael Mccann, SI.com, "NFL Teams Previously Have Settled in Cheerleader Lawsuits. Will Texans' Ex-Cheerleaders Set Different Precedent?," 25 June 2018 Blair spent hours in the basement in the months after the tryouts, stick-handling and shooting pucks on our smooth floors ideal for rollerblading. — David Haugh, chicagotribune.com, "Thanks, hockey, for making my son stronger and helping fathers understand kids a little better," 15 June 2018 Now through June 28, the team will hold tryouts, practices and meets at the West University Place Recreation Center pool. — Staff Report, Houston Chronicle, "West University Place holding tryouts for the Piranhas Swim Team," 9 Apr. 2018 After an email and a successful tryout, Powell received that chance by making the roster at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay as a walk-on. — Andrew Gruman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Wauwatosa West alumnus Tyrone Powell fulfilling NCAA Division 1 dream in Green Bay," 24 Jan. 2018 Neidhart was a shot put star in high school in California in the early 1970s and had brief tryouts for NFL teams before becoming a pro wrestler. — Dan Gelston, The Seattle Times, "Former WWE star Jim ‘The Anvil’ Neidhart dies at 63," 14 Aug. 2018 According to Callan, a group of 20-something WNBA players were invited to tryouts on September 2 in Columbia, South Carolina. — Jenny Mccoy, SELF, "The USA Basketball Women's National Team Is Currently Vying For Its Third Consecutive World Cup Victory," 24 Sep. 2018 But start here: in the gym at Brandeis University in the spring of 2012, during a tryout camp for high school basketball players with superior academic records. — Tim Layden, SI.com, "The Transfer Story of Michigan's Duncan Robinson Is Not Your Average One," 29 Mar. 2018

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.