test
♦♦♦ test /t'est/ (tests testing tested)
1 [VERB] V n
When you test something, you try it, for example by touching it or using it for a short time, in order to find out what it is, what condition it is in, or how well it works.
The drug must first be tested in clinical trials to see if it works on other cancers.
2 [N-COUNT]
A test is a deliberate action or experiment to find out how well something works.
...the banning of nuclear tests.
3 [VERB] V n, V pron-refl
If you test someone, you ask them questions or tell them to perform certain actions in order to find out how much they know about a subject or how well they are able to do something.
There was a time when each teacher spent an hour, one day a week, testing pupils in every subject...
She decided to test herself with a training run in London.
4 [N-COUNT]
A test is a series of questions that you must answer or actions that you must perform in order to show how much you know about a subject or how well you are able to do something.
Out of a total of 2,602 pupils only 922 passed the test...
She had sold her bike, taken a driving test and bought a car.
5 [VERB] V n
If you test someone, you deliberately make things difficult for them in order to see how they react.
She may be testing her mother to see how much she can take before she throws her out.
6 [N-COUNT] usu sing, oft N of n
If an event or situation is a test of a person or thing, it reveals their qualities or effectiveness.
It is a commonplace fact that holidays are a major test of any relationship...
7 [VERB] usu passive, be V-ed for n, be V-ed
If you are tested for a particular disease or medical condition, you are examined or go through various procedures in order to find out whether you have that disease or condition.
My doctor wants me to be tested for diabetes...
Girls in an affected family can also be tested to see if they carry the defective gene.
8 [N-COUNT]
A medical test is an examination of a part of your body in order to check that you are healthy or to find out what is wrong with you.
If necessary X-rays and blood tests will also be used to aid diagnosis...
9 [N-COUNT]
A test is a sports match between two international teams, usually in cricket, rugby union, or rugby league. (BRIT)
10
see also testing, acid test, means test, means test, litmus test, test match
11 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you put something to the test, you find out how useful or effective it is by using it.
The Liverpool team are now putting their theory to the test...
12 [PHRASE] V inflects
If new circumstances or events put something to the test, they put a strain on it and indicate how strong or stable it really is.
Sooner or later, life will put the relationship to the test.
13 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you say that something will stand the test of time, you mean that it is strong or effective enough to last for a very long time.
It says a lot for her culinary skills that so many of her recipes have stood the test of time.
14
to test the waters: see wateracid test
[N-SING] the N
The acid test of something is an important aspect or result that it might have, which allows you to decide whether it is true or successful.
The acid test of a school is `would you send your own children there?'ap|ti|tude test (aptitude tests)
[N-COUNT]
An aptitude test is a test that is specially designed to find out how easily and how well you can do something.blood test (blood tests)
[N-COUNT]
A blood test is a medical examination of a small amount of your blood.breath test (breath tests)
[N-COUNT]
A breath test is a test carried out by police in which a driver blows into a piece of equipment to show how much alcohol he or she has drunk.
Police will conduct random breath tests.DNA test (DNA tests)
[N-COUNT]
A DNA test is a test in which someone's DNA is analysed, for example to see if they have committed a particular crime or are the parent of a particular child.
● DNA testing [N-UNCOUNT]
They took samples from his hair for DNA testing.lit|mus test /l'ɪtməs test/ (litmus tests)
[N-COUNT] usu sing, usu N of/for n
If you say that something is a litmus test of something, you mean that it is an effective and definite way of proving it or measuring it.
Ending the fighting must be the absolute priority, the litmus test of the agreements' validity...
The success of wind power represents a litmus test for renewable energy.mar|ket test (market tests market testing market tested)
1 [N-COUNT]
If a company carries out a market test, it asks a group of people to try a new product or service and give their opinions on it. (BUSINESS)
Results from market tests in the US and Europe show little enthusiasm for the product.
2 [VERB] V n
If a new product or service is market tested, a group of people are asked to try it and then asked for their opinions on it. (BUSINESS)
The company uses the simulator to market test new designs.
● market testing [N-UNCOUNT]
They learnt a lot from the initial market testing exercise.means test (means tests)
[N-COUNT] usu sing
A means test is a test in which your income is calculated in order to decide whether you qualify for a grant or benefit from the state.preg|nan|cy test (pregnancy tests)
[N-COUNT]
A pregnancy test is a medical test which women have to find out if they have become pregnant.screen test (screen tests)
[N-COUNT]
When a film studio gives an actor a screen test, they film a short scene in order to test how good he or she would be in films.test bed (test beds)
[N-COUNT]
A test bed is a piece of equipment used for testing new machines.test case (test cases)
[N-COUNT]
A test case is a legal case which becomes an example for deciding other similar cases.test match (test matches)
[N-COUNT]
In cricket and rugby, a test match is a one of a series of matches played between teams representing two countries. (BRIT)
= testtest pi|lot (test pilots)
[N-COUNT]
A test pilot is a pilot who flies aircraft of a new design in order to test their performance.test run (test runs)
[N-COUNT]
If you give a machine or system a test run, you try it out to see if it will work properly when it is actually in use.
= trial runtest tube (test tubes)
also test-tube
[N-COUNT]
A test tube is a small tube-shaped container made from glass. Test tubes are used in laboratories.
1 [VERB] V n
When you test something, you try it, for example by touching it or using it for a short time, in order to find out what it is, what condition it is in, or how well it works.
The drug must first be tested in clinical trials to see if it works on other cancers.
2 [N-COUNT]
A test is a deliberate action or experiment to find out how well something works.
...the banning of nuclear tests.
3 [VERB] V n, V pron-refl
If you test someone, you ask them questions or tell them to perform certain actions in order to find out how much they know about a subject or how well they are able to do something.
There was a time when each teacher spent an hour, one day a week, testing pupils in every subject...
She decided to test herself with a training run in London.
4 [N-COUNT]
A test is a series of questions that you must answer or actions that you must perform in order to show how much you know about a subject or how well you are able to do something.
Out of a total of 2,602 pupils only 922 passed the test...
She had sold her bike, taken a driving test and bought a car.
5 [VERB] V n
If you test someone, you deliberately make things difficult for them in order to see how they react.
She may be testing her mother to see how much she can take before she throws her out.
6 [N-COUNT] usu sing, oft N of n
If an event or situation is a test of a person or thing, it reveals their qualities or effectiveness.
It is a commonplace fact that holidays are a major test of any relationship...
7 [VERB] usu passive, be V-ed for n, be V-ed
If you are tested for a particular disease or medical condition, you are examined or go through various procedures in order to find out whether you have that disease or condition.
My doctor wants me to be tested for diabetes...
Girls in an affected family can also be tested to see if they carry the defective gene.
8 [N-COUNT]
A medical test is an examination of a part of your body in order to check that you are healthy or to find out what is wrong with you.
If necessary X-rays and blood tests will also be used to aid diagnosis...
9 [N-COUNT]
A test is a sports match between two international teams, usually in cricket, rugby union, or rugby league. (BRIT)
10
see also testing, acid test, means test, means test, litmus test, test match
11 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you put something to the test, you find out how useful or effective it is by using it.
The Liverpool team are now putting their theory to the test...
12 [PHRASE] V inflects
If new circumstances or events put something to the test, they put a strain on it and indicate how strong or stable it really is.
Sooner or later, life will put the relationship to the test.
13 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you say that something will stand the test of time, you mean that it is strong or effective enough to last for a very long time.
It says a lot for her culinary skills that so many of her recipes have stood the test of time.
14
to test the waters: see wateracid test
[N-SING] the N
The acid test of something is an important aspect or result that it might have, which allows you to decide whether it is true or successful.
The acid test of a school is `would you send your own children there?'ap|ti|tude test (aptitude tests)
[N-COUNT]
An aptitude test is a test that is specially designed to find out how easily and how well you can do something.blood test (blood tests)
[N-COUNT]
A blood test is a medical examination of a small amount of your blood.breath test (breath tests)
[N-COUNT]
A breath test is a test carried out by police in which a driver blows into a piece of equipment to show how much alcohol he or she has drunk.
Police will conduct random breath tests.DNA test (DNA tests)
[N-COUNT]
A DNA test is a test in which someone's DNA is analysed, for example to see if they have committed a particular crime or are the parent of a particular child.
● DNA testing [N-UNCOUNT]
They took samples from his hair for DNA testing.lit|mus test /l'ɪtməs test/ (litmus tests)
[N-COUNT] usu sing, usu N of/for n
If you say that something is a litmus test of something, you mean that it is an effective and definite way of proving it or measuring it.
Ending the fighting must be the absolute priority, the litmus test of the agreements' validity...
The success of wind power represents a litmus test for renewable energy.mar|ket test (market tests market testing market tested)
1 [N-COUNT]
If a company carries out a market test, it asks a group of people to try a new product or service and give their opinions on it. (BUSINESS)
Results from market tests in the US and Europe show little enthusiasm for the product.
2 [VERB] V n
If a new product or service is market tested, a group of people are asked to try it and then asked for their opinions on it. (BUSINESS)
The company uses the simulator to market test new designs.
● market testing [N-UNCOUNT]
They learnt a lot from the initial market testing exercise.means test (means tests)
[N-COUNT] usu sing
A means test is a test in which your income is calculated in order to decide whether you qualify for a grant or benefit from the state.preg|nan|cy test (pregnancy tests)
[N-COUNT]
A pregnancy test is a medical test which women have to find out if they have become pregnant.screen test (screen tests)
[N-COUNT]
When a film studio gives an actor a screen test, they film a short scene in order to test how good he or she would be in films.test bed (test beds)
[N-COUNT]
A test bed is a piece of equipment used for testing new machines.test case (test cases)
[N-COUNT]
A test case is a legal case which becomes an example for deciding other similar cases.test match (test matches)
[N-COUNT]
In cricket and rugby, a test match is a one of a series of matches played between teams representing two countries. (BRIT)
= testtest pi|lot (test pilots)
[N-COUNT]
A test pilot is a pilot who flies aircraft of a new design in order to test their performance.test run (test runs)
[N-COUNT]
If you give a machine or system a test run, you try it out to see if it will work properly when it is actually in use.
= trial runtest tube (test tubes)
also test-tube
[N-COUNT]
A test tube is a small tube-shaped container made from glass. Test tubes are used in laboratories.