/ test; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
OF KNOWLEDGE / ABILITY
1.
test (on sth) an examination of sb's knowledge or ability, consisting of questions for them to answer or activities for them to perform :
an IQ / intelligence / aptitude test
to take a test
( BrE )
to do a test
a test on irregular verbs
to pass / fail a test
( BrE )
a good mark in the test
( NAmE )
a good grade on the test
—see also driving test ➡ note at exam
OF HEALTH
2.
a medical examination to discover what is wrong with you or to check the condition of your health :
a test for AIDS
an eye test
a pregnancy test
When can I get my test results ?
—see also blood test , breath test
OF MACHINE / PRODUCT, etc.
3.
an experiment to discover whether or how well sth works, or to find out more information about it :
laboratory tests
a nuclear test
Tests have shown high levels of pollutants in the water.
I'll run a diagnostic test to see why the server keeps crashing.
—see also acid test , blind test , field test , means test , road test
OF STRENGTH, etc.
4.
a situation or an event that shows how good, strong, etc. sb/sth is :
The local elections will be a good test of the government's popularity.
IN CRICKET, etc.
5.
Test = Test match
•
IDIOMS
- put sb/sth to the test
- stand the test of time
■ verb
KNOWLEDGE / ABILITY
1.
to find out how much sb knows, or what they can do by asking them questions or giving them activities to perform :
[ vn ]
We test your English before deciding which class to put you in.
Children are tested on core subjects at ages 7, 11 and 14.
[ v ]
Schools use various methods of testing.
HEALTH
2.
test sb/sth (for sth) to examine the blood, a part of the body, etc. to find out what is wrong with a person, or to check the condition of their health :
[ vn ]
to test sb's eyesight / hearing
The doctor tested him for hepatitis.
[ v - adj ]
to test positive / negative
Two athletes tested positive for steroids.
MACHINE / PRODUCT, etc.
3.
[ vn ] test sth (on sth / for sth) | test sth out to use or try a machine, substance, etc. to find out how well it works or to find out more information about it :
Test your brakes regularly.
Our beauty products are not tested on animals.
The water is regularly tested for purity.
They opened a single store in Europe to test out the market.
—see also field-test
STRENGTH, etc.
4.
[ vn ] to be difficult and therefore need all your strength, ability, etc. :
The long climb tested our fitness and stamina.
—see also testing
•
IDIOMS
- test the waters
—more at tried
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- test for sth | test sth for sth
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (denoting a container used to treat gold or silver alloys or ore): via Old French from Latin testu , testum earthen pot, variant of testa jug, shell. The verb dates from the early 17th cent.