experiment

1 of 2

noun

ex·​per·​i·​ment ik-ˈsper-ə-mənt 

also

-ˈspir- 

1

a

: test, trial

make another experiment of his suspicion

—William Shakespeare

b

: a tentative procedure or policy

c

: an operation or procedure carried out under controlled conditions in order to discover an unknown effect or law, to test or establish a hypothesis, or to illustrate a known law

2

obsolete : experience

3

: the process of testing : experimentation

experiment

2 of 2

verb

ex·​per·​i·​ment ik-ˈsper-ə-ˌment 

 also  -ˈspir

experimented; experimenting; experiments

intransitive verb

: to carry out experiments : try out a new procedure, idea, or activity

experimentation

ik-ˌsper-ə-mən-ˈtā-shən 

-ˌmen-

 also  -ˌspir-

noun

experimenter

ik-ˈsper-ə-ˌmen-tər 

 also  -ˈspir-

noun

Synonyms

Noun

• essay
• experimentation
• test
• trial

Examples of experiment in a Sentence

Noun

Students will carry out simple laboratory experiments.

They did some experiments with magnets.

These theories have not yet been confirmed by experiment.

an experiment in living more frugally

the city's experiment with a longer school year

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Since then, more experiments have documented that spiders, ticks, and other bugs can perform a similar trick. —Max G. Levy, WIRED, 27 Oct. 2024

There are no such prohibitions in the U.S. and no one knows how many such experiments are conducted and what kinds are done. —Peter Singer, TIME, 26 Oct. 2024

Verb

The circular fibers are applied to Isko Iconic, a line that experiments with finishes and coatings to add sheen and raw resin looks to fabrics, and Isko Craft, a line of lightweight fabrics (12 oz. and lower) with heritage and vintage looks. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 29 Oct. 2024

The early years of entrepreneurship are typically filled with trial and error, so having the time to experiment with different ideas and strategies—without the financial obligations associated with older age—can be hugely fruitful in building a solid business foundation. —Sabine Leveiller, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, "testing, proof, remedy," borrowed from Anglo-French esperiment, borrowed from Latin experīmentum "testing, experience, proof," from experīrī "to put to the test, attempt, have experience of, undergo" + -mentum -ment — more at experience entry 1

Verb

verbal derivative of experiment entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1787, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing experiment

• control experiment
• controlled experiment
• experiment station
• pre-experiment
• thought experiment

Kids Definition

experiment

1 of 2 noun

ex·​per·​i·​ment ik-ˈsper-ə-mənt 

: test entry 1 sense 1, trial entry 1 sense 1

especially : a procedure or operation carried out under controlled conditions in order to discover something, to test a hypothesis, or to serve as an example

experiment

2 of 2 verb

ex·​per·​i·​ment ik-ˈsper-ə-ˌment 

: to make experiments

experimentation

ik-ˌsper-ə-mən-ˈtā-shən 

-ˌmen-

noun

Medical Definition

experiment

1 of 2 noun

ex·​per·​i·​ment

ik-ˈsper-ə-mənt also -ˈspir-

1

: a procedure carried out under controlled conditions in order to discover an unknown effect or law, to test or establish a hypothesis, or to illustrate a known law

2

: the process of testing : experimentation

experiment

2 of 2 intransitive verb

ex·​per·​i·​ment -ˌment 

: to carry out experiments

experimentation

ik-ˌsper-ə-mən-ˈtā-shən, -ˌmen- also -ˌspir- 

noun

experimenter

-ˈsper-ə-ˌment-ər also -ˈspir- 

noun