experiment

[ noun ik-sper-uh-muhnt; verb ek-sper-uh-ment ]
/ noun ɪkˈspɛr ə mənt; verb ɛkˈspɛr əˌmɛnt /

noun

a test, trial, or tentative procedure; an act or operation for the purpose of discovering something unknown or of testing a principle, supposition, etc.: a chemical experiment; a teaching experiment; an experiment in living.
the conducting of such operations; experimentation: a product that is the result of long experiment.
Obsolete. experience.

verb (used without object)

to try or test, especially in order to discover or prove something: to experiment with a new procedure.

Origin of experiment

1325–75; Middle English: proof < Latin experīmentum. See experience, -ment

synonym study for experiment

1. See trial.

OTHER WORDS FROM experiment

Example sentences from the Web for experiment

British Dictionary definitions for experiment

experiment

noun (ɪkˈspɛrɪmənt)

a test or investigation, esp one planned to provide evidence for or against a hypothesis: a scientific experiment
the act of conducting such an investigation or test; experimentation; research
an attempt at something new or different; an effort to be original a poetic experiment
an obsolete word for experience

verb (ɪkˈspɛrɪˌmɛnt)

(intr) to make an experiment or experiments

Derived forms of experiment

experimenter, noun

Word Origin for experiment

C14: from Latin experīmentum proof, trial, from experīrī to test; see experience

Medical definitions for experiment

experiment
[ ĭk-spĕrə-mənt ]

n.

A test under controlled conditions that is made to demonstrate a known truth, to examine the validity of a hypothesis, or to determine the efficacy of something previously untried.
The process of conducting such a test; experimentation.
An innovative act or procedure.
The result of experimentation.

v.

To conduct an experiment.
To try something new, especially in order to gain experience.

Scientific definitions for experiment

experiment
[ ĭk-spĕrə-mənt ]

A test or procedure carried out under controlled conditions to determine the validity of a hypothesis or make a discovery. See Note at hypothesis.