WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
test1 /tɛst/USA pronunciation
n. [countable]
v.
-test-, root.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- a set of problems, questions, etc., for evaluating a person's abilities, skills, or performance:a driver's test.
- the means by which the quality of anything is determined:a test of a new product.
- a trial of the quality of something:to put the new car to the test.
v.
- to (cause someone to) undergo a test of any kind: [~ + object]The school has to test you on your writing ability.[no object]The hospital wants to test for diabetes.
- to perform on a test:[no object]People test better in a relaxed environment.
-test-, root.
- -test- comes from Latin, where it has the meaning "witness.'' This meaning is found in such words as: attest, contest, detest, incontestable, intestate, pretest, protest, Protestant, protestation, test, testament, testate, testify, testimonial, testimony.
test1
(test),USA pronunciation n.
v.t.
v.i.
test′a•ble, adj.
test′a•bil′i•ty, n.
test′ing•ly, adv.
test2 (test),USA pronunciation n.
Test.,
test.,
- the means by which the presence, quality, or genuineness of anything is determined;
a means of trial. - the trial of the quality of something:to put to the test.
- a particular process or method for trying or assessing.
- a set of questions, problems, or the like, used as a means of evaluating the abilities, aptitudes, skills, or performance of an individual or group;
examination. - Psychologya set of standardized questions, problems, or tasks designed to elicit responses for use in measuring the traits, capacities, or achievements of an individual.
- Chemistry
- the process of identifying or detecting the presence of a constituent of a substance, or of determining the nature of a substance, commonly by the addition of a reagent.
- the reagent used.
- an indication or evidence of the presence of a constituent, or of the nature of a substance, obtained by such means.
- an oath or other confirmation of one's loyalty, religious beliefs, etc.
- British Termsa cupel for refining or assaying metals.
v.t.
- to subject to a test of any kind;
try. - Chemistryto subject to a chemical test.
- Metallurgyto assay or refine in a cupel.
v.i.
- to undergo a test or trial;
try out. - to perform on a test:People test better in a relaxed environment.
- to conduct a test:to test for diabetes.
- Latin testū, testum earthen pot; akin to test2
- Middle French
- Middle English: cupel 1350–1400
test′a•bil′i•ty, n.
test′ing•ly, adv.
- 1. proof, assay. See trial. 9. assay, prove, examine.
test2 (test),USA pronunciation n.
- Zoologythe hard, protective shell or covering of certain invertebrates, as echinoderms or tunicates.
- Botanytesta.
- Latin testa tile, shell, covering; akin to test1
- 1535–45
Test.,
- BibleTestament.
test.,
- Lawtestator.
- Lawtestimony.
'-test-' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
acid test
- Ambrose
- approve
- Ashes
- assay
- audition
- baggy green
- Bárány
- benchmark
- bench test
- bikini
- Binet-Simon scale
- Border
- Botham
- Boycott
- breath test
- camp-drafting
- Canaveral
- candidate
- certified
- cervical smear
- challenge
- Chappell
- checkbox
- chi-square distribution
- chi-square test
- chicane
- cloze test
- commission
- contingency
- Cook
- Cowdrey
- cross-match
- crucible
- cunning
- demonstrator
- Doe
- double-blind
- echinoderm
- essay
- examine
- examination
- exercise
- experiment
- expert
- failure
- field trial
- Fitzpatrick
- Flintoff
- acceptance region