experiment — English Dictionary

Noun

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

   Examples

   conduct an experiment

   carry out some experiments

   More examples (3)

   perform a scientific experiment

   From her childhood she had been accustomed to watch, and often to aid, in her uncle's chemical experiments; she was, therefore, not at a loss, as a complete novice in the science would have been.

   South Korean officials announced last month that an experiment to create artificial rain did not provide the desired results.

2. Experience, practical familiarity with something.

   Usage

   • Obsolete

   Examples

   Pilot [...] Vpon his card and compas firmes his eye, The maisters of his long experiment, And to them does the steddy helme apply [...].

Verb

1. To conduct an experiment.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

   Examples

   We're going to experiment on rats.

   More examples (2)

   As well as demonstrating operating facilities, full-size car body models are used for experimenting with new types of interior finish, systems of lighting, positioning of route diagrams and advertisements, and the best form of windscreens at doorways, and the height and location of handgrips and handrails.

   Bob is a shameless tourist: Coit Tower, Fisherman's Wharf, Twin Peaks, ad infinitum. I think walking the streets with a map in hand looks dumb; experimenting is much more fun.

2. To experience; to feel; to perceive; to detect.

   Usage

   • Obsolete
   • Transitive

   Examples

   The Earth, the which may have carried us about perpetually ... without our being ever able to experiment its rest.

3. To test or ascertain by experiment; to try out; to make an experiment on.

   Usage

   • Obsolete
   • Transitive

   Examples

   Til they had experimented whiche was trewe, and who knewe most.

4. To try something to observe the results.

   Usage

   • Intransitive
   • often
   • with "with"

   Examples

   I want to experiment with psychedelics.

Noun

1. the act of conducting a controlled test or investigation

   Synonyms

   experimentation

   Broader terms

   scientific researchresearch project

2. the testing of an idea

   Synonyms

   experimentation

   Broader terms

   inquiryenquiryresearch

   Examples

   it was an experiment in living

   not all experimentation is done in laboratories

3. a venture at something new or different

   Broader terms

   venture

   Examples

   as an experiment he decided to grow a beard

Verb

1. to conduct a test or investigation

   Broader terms

   investigatelook into

   Examples

   We are experimenting with the new drug in order to fight this disease

2. try something new, as in order to gain experience

   Synonyms

   try out

   Broader terms

   tryseekattemptessayassay

   Examples

   Students experiment sexually

   The composer experimented with a new style