Meaning of test In English

• 0 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.

  • 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.

  • The new missiles are currently undergoing tests.

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

  • Australia won the test by 197 runs.

• 1 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.

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

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

• 2 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

  • an eye test

  • a DNA test

  • a safety test

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

  • Multiple-choice questions tested the students’ knowledge.

  • We test every component we make.

  • His generation was tested by a world war.

• 4 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.

• 5 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.

• 6 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.

• 7 to find out or show how good someone or something is:

  • This new project will really put her to the test.

• 8 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.

• 9 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.

• 10 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.