I. ex ‧ per ‧ i ‧ ment 1 S3 W2 /ɪkˈsperəmənt, ɪkˈsperɪmənt/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ experiment , ↑ experimentation ; verb : ↑ experiment ; adverb : ↑ experimentally ; adjective : ↑ experimental ]
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: Latin experimentum , from experiri ; ⇨ ↑ experience 1 ]
1 . a scientific test done to find out how something reacts under certain conditions, or to find out if a particular idea is true
experiment with/in/on
experiments with alcohol-fuelled cars
experiments on sleep deprivation
by experiment
Many small birds guide themselves by the stars, as has been verified by experiment.
2 . a process in which you test a new idea or method to see if it is useful or effective
experiment with/in/on
an experiment in state socialism
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 1)
■ verbs
▪ do/carry out an experiment
They carried out a series of experiments to test the theory.
|
He did some experiments with bats.
▪ perform/conduct an experiment formal (=do an experiment)
The laboratory began conducting experiments on rats.
▪ an experiment shows/proves/demonstrates something
His experiment showed that lightning was a kind of electricity.
|
The experiment proved that fabrics treated with the chemical are much less likely to catch fire.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + experiment
▪ a scientific experiment
Astronauts performed scientific experiments during the flight.
▪ animal experiments (=experiments using animals)
I think most animal experiments are cruel and unnecessary.
▪ a laboratory experiment (=one that takes place in a laboratory)
They did a series of laboratory experiments on human sleep patterns in the 1960s.
▪ a field experiment (=one that takes place in the real world, not in a laboratory)
In field experiments, we used patients who did not know that it was a test situation.
▪ a controlled experiment (=one that is done using correct scientific methods)
The theory has not yet been tested by a properly controlled experiment.
▪ a practical experiment (=one that relates to real situations or events, not scientific theories)
The research team compiled a set of practical experiments in Modern Astronomy.
■ phrases
▪ an experiment to test/measure/find out something
We did an experiment to test the acidity of the soil.
■ COMMON ERRORS
► Do not say ' make an experiment '. Say carry out an experiment or do an experiement .
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ adjectives
▪ a bold experiment (=one that tries to achieve a lot and takes risks)
The country's bold experiment with economic reform has not paid off yet.
▪ a unique experiment (=one that has not been done before)
Congestion charging is a unique experiment that other UK cities are watching with interest.
▪ a democratic/socialist/communist experiment (=one in which a country tries a new political system)
He went to Havana to judge for himself the success or failure of the socialist experiment.
▪ a social experiment (=one in which people try a new way of living and organizing society)
The community started out as a social experiment.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ research noun [uncountable] careful detailed work that is done in order to find out more about a subject, especially as a part of a scientific or academic project:
Billions of dollars have been spent on research into the causes and treatment of cancer.
|
The University has for a long time been a leading centre for research in this field.
▪ work noun [uncountable] the studies that have been done on a particular subject:
Faraday is famous for his work on electricity.
|
A lot of work has been done on hydrogen-powered cars.
|
Their work had an enormous influence on the study of genetics.
▪ study noun [countable] a piece of work in which someone examines a particular subject in order to find out more about it, and writes about what they have found:
The study showed that 25 percent of adults do not eat breakfast at all, compared with 14 percent in 1961.
|
Recent studies suggest that our sense of smell is closely linked with the part of the brain that deals with memory.
▪ experiment noun [countable] a scientific test in order to find out what happens when you do something:
They carried out a series of experiments (=they did a series of experiments) in order to try to prove their theory.
|
Experiments have shown that there is an increased risk of some forms of cancer.
II. ex ‧ per ‧ i ‧ ment 2 /ɪkˈsperəment, ɪkˈsperɪment/ BrE AmE verb [intransitive]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ experiment , ↑ experimentation ; verb : ↑ experiment ; adverb : ↑ experimentally ; adjective : ↑ experimental ]
1 . to try using various ideas, methods etc to find out how good or effective they are
experiment with/on/in
He experimented with lighter-than-air flight.
The teacher provided some different materials and left the children to experiment.
2 . to do a scientific test to find out if a particular idea is true or to obtain more information
experiment with/on
I would defend the right of scientists to experiment on animals.
3 . to try doing something to find out what it feels like, for example having sex or using illegal drugs
experiment with
She admitted she had experimented with cocaine.
—experimenter noun [countable]