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Definition of experiment

 (Entry 1 of 2)

Definition of experiment  (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

  • experimentation

Examples of experiment in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'experiment.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

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

verbal derivative of experiment entry 1

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

1787, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing experiment

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

Articles Related to experiment

hypothesis

This is the Difference Between a...

This is the Difference Between a Hypothesis and a Theory

In scientific reasoning, they're two completely different things

Dictionary Entries Near experiment

experiential time

experimental

Cite this Entry

“Experiment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/experiment. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of experiment.

Kids Definition of experiment  (Entry 2 of 2)

Medical Definition

Medical definition of experiment.

Medical Definition of experiment  (Entry 2 of 2)

More from Merriam-Webster on experiment

Nglish: Translation of experiment for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of experiment for Arabic Speakers

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IMAGES

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COMMENTS

  1. Experiment Definition & Meaning

    EXPERIMENT definition: 1. a test done in order to learn something or to discover if something works or is true: 2. to try…. Learn more.

  2. Experiment

    An observational study is used when it is impractical, unethical, cost-prohibitive (or otherwise inefficient) to fit a physical or social system into a laboratory setting, to completely control confounding factors, or to apply random assignment. It can also be used when confounding factors are either limited or known well enough to analyze the data in light of them (though this may be rar…

  3. EXPERIMENT

    EXPERIMENT meaning: 1. a test done in order to learn something or to discover if something works or is true: 2. to try…. Learn more.

  4. Meaning of experiment

    EXPERIMENT definition: 1. a test, especially a scientific one, that you do in order to learn something or discover if…. Learn more.

  5. What does experiment mean?

    experiment noun. A test under controlled conditions made to either demonstrate a known truth, examine the validity of a hypothesis, or determine the efficacy of something previously untried. …

  6. Experiment Definition & Meaning

    EXPERIMENT meaning: 1 : a scientific test in which you perform a series of actions and carefully observe their effects in order to learn about something; 2 : something that is done as …