Definition of “test” - English Dictionary

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“test” in English

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testnoun [ C ]

uk ​ /test/ us ​ /test/

A1 a way of discovering, by questions or practical activities, what someone knows, or what someone or something can do or is like:

The class are doing/having a spelling test today.
She had to take/do an aptitude test before she got the job.

B1 a medical examination of part of your body in order to find out how healthy it is or what is happening with it:

a blood/urine test
an eye test
a pregnancy test
The doctors have done some tests to try and find out what's wrong with her.

› an act of using something to find out if it is working correctly or how effective it is:

The new missiles are currently undergoing tests.

B2 a situation that shows how good something is:

Driving on that icy road was a real test of my skill.

› a test match :

Australia won the test by 197 runs.

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Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

Idiom(s)

put sth to the test

testverb [ T ]

uk ​ /test/ us ​ /test/

B2 to do something in order to discover if something is safe, works correctly, etc., or if something is present:

The manufacturers are currently testing the new engine.
They tested her blood for signs of the infection.

B1 to give someone a set of questions, in order to measure their knowledge or ability:

Will you test me on the chemistry I've been learning?

B2 If a situation tests someone, it proves how good, strong, etc. they are:

That lecture really tested my powers of endurance, it was so boring.

› to do a medical examination of part of someone's body or of a particular physical ability

More examples

Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

Idiom(s)

test the keeper
test the water(s)

Phrasal verb(s)

test sth out

(Definition of “test” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

“test” in American English

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testnoun [ C ]

us ​ /test/

› a set of questions or practical activities that show what someone knows or what someone or something can do or is like:

a spelling test

› A test is also a medical examination of part of your body or of something from your body:

an eye test
a DNA test

› A test is also an act of using something to find out whether it is working correctly or how effective it is:

a safety test

Idiom(s)

stand the test of time

testverb [ T ]

us ​ /test/

› to use a set of questions or practical activities to measure someone's knowledge and ability:

Multiple-choice questions tested the students’ knowledge.

› To test something is to use it in order to find out whether it is working correctly or how effective it is:

We test every component we make.

› To test people or things can also be to present them with a situation which shows how good they are at dealing with difficulties:

His generation was tested by a world war.

Idiom(s)

test the water(s)

(Definition of “test” from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

“test” in Business English

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testnoun [ C ]

uk ​ /test/ us ​

› a set of questions or practical activities that are used to measure what someone or something can do or how much someone knows about something:

The tests showed I had excellent spatial awareness.
do/sit/take a test We have to take a test to get a real-estate broker's license.
pass/fail a test New agents have to complete an online training course and pass a test.

› an act of doing something in order to discover if something is safe, works correctly, etc., or if something is present:

pass/fail a test The minivans all failed the safety tests.
a test for sth The material passed rigid tests for flammability.
a test on sth The tests on the toys found that they had dangerously high lead levels.
If tests show infection, computer users can try anti-virus software.

› a situation that shows how good, strong, etc. someone or something is:

The ultimate test of a successful negotiation is when the agreement reached is implemented to the satisfaction of both parties.
The true test of a CEO comes during difficult times.
put sb/sth to the test

› to find out or show how good someone or something is:

This new project will really put her to the test.

See also

acid test ratio
alpha test
aptitude test
beta test
blind test
EQ test
field test
hall test
IQ test
market test
means test
psychological test
psychometric test
recognition test

testverb

uk ​ /test/ us ​

› [ T ] to ask someone a set of questions or give them practical activities to do, in order to measure their knowledge or ability:

We will test your strength and stamina.
test sb on sth We will test new taxi drivers on how well they know their way around.

› [ I or T ] to do something in order to discover if something is safe, works correctly, etc., or if something is present:

We test every product numerous times before it ships.
The machine kept breaking down when I tested it.
test (sth) for sth The company is testing for gold in the deposits.
test sth on sth/sb The drugs were first tested on animals.
test negative/positive (for sth) He tested positive for the disease.

› [ T ] if a situation tests someone or something, it shows how good, strong, etc. they are:

The new chief executive will quickly get a chance to test his diplomatic skills.
Investors in British information technology stocks should prepare to have their nerve tested again.

See also

alpha test
beta-test

(Definition of “test” from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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