noun
plural tests
[count] a set of questions or problems that are designed to measure a person's knowledge, skills, or abilities
a careful study of a part of the body or of a substance taken from the body
a careful study of a small amount of water, soil, air, etc., in order to see if its quality is good, to find out if it contains a dangerous substance, etc.
a planned and usually controlled act or series of acts that is done to learn something, to see if something works properly, etc.
something (such as a difficult situation or task) that shows how strong or skilled someone or something is
Brit sports :test match - see also high-test, means test
put (someone or something) to the test
to cause (someone or something) to be in a situation that shows how strong, good, etc., that person or thing really is
stand the test of time
to continue to be important, respected, etc., for a long period of time
test of (your) character
verb
tests; tested; testing
[+ obj] :to use a set of questions or problems to measure someone's skills, knowledge, or abilities
to examine a part of the body or a substance taken from the body [+ obj]
to examine a small amount of water, soil, air, etc., in order to see if its quality is good, if it contains a dangerous substance, etc. [+ obj]
+ for
[+ obj] :to use (something) in a planned and usually controlled way in order to see if it works properly
[+ obj] :to show how strong, good, etc., someone or something is in a difficult situation
test the waters
also test the water
to do something to find out if people like or approve a possible plan, product, etc., so that you can make a decision about it