test-drive

verb

ˈtes(t)-ˌdrīv 

test-drove ˈtes(t)-ˌdrōv  ; test-driven ˈtes(t)-ˌdri-vən  ; test-driving ˈtes(t)-ˌdrī-viŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to drive (a motor vehicle) in order to evaluate performance

2

: to use or examine (something, such as a computer program) in order to evaluate performance

test-drive the new game

test-drive noun

Examples of test-drive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But the solution to the endlessly revolving door between the streets, hospitals, and shelters has already been successfully test-driven. —Dave Giffen, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2025

The 90 Day Finn Program provides an opportunity to test-drive life and building a venture in one of one of Europe’s most dynamic ecosystems. —Jessica Mendoza, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025

On Saturday afternoon, Jacobs posted a video of himself test-driving a Tesla Cybertruck, waving to several Tesla protesters out the window as the car was in self-driving mode. —Asher Notheis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 23 Mar. 2025

And those reviews will be flowing within days, as soon as teams test-drive a system in which each club will get two chances per game to challenge ball-strike calls. —Jayson Stark, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for test-drive

• alive
• archive
• arrive
• beehive
• connive
• contrive
• deprive
• derive
• revive
• survive
• dive
• drive