Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense experiments, present participle experimenting, past tense, past participle experimentedpronunciation note: The noun is pronounced (ɪksperɪmənt). The verb is pronounced (ɪksperɪment).
1. variable noun
An experiment is a scientific test which is done in order to discover what happens to something in particular conditions.
He carried out a series of experiments on the properties of plants.
...a proposed new law on animal experiments.
This question can be answered only by experiment.
Synonyms: test, trial, investigation, examination More Synonyms of experiment
2. verb
If you experiment with something or experiment on it, you do a scientific test on it in order to discover what happens to it in particularconditions.
In 1857 Mendel started experimenting with peas in his monastery garden. [V + with/on]
The scientists have already experimented at each other's test sites. [VERB]
When the experimenters repeated the tests, they observed an opposite effect.
3. variable noun
An experiment is the trying out of a new idea or method in order to see what it is like and what effects it has.
As an experiment, we bought Ted a watch.
...the country's five year experiment in democracy.
She needs plenty of room for experiment in her life.
4. verb
To experiment means to try out a new idea or method to see what it is like and what effects it has.
...if you like cooking and have the time to experiment. [VERB]
He believes that students should be encouraged to experiment with bold ideas. [VERB + with]
experimentationuncountable noun
Decentralization and experimentation must be encouraged.
More Synonyms of experiment
experiment in British English
noun (ɪkˈspɛrɪmənt)
1.
a test or investigation, esp one planned to provide evidence for or against a hypothesis: a scientific experiment
2.
the act of conducting such an investigation or test; experimentation; research
3.
an attempt at something new or different; an effort to be original
a poetic experiment
4. an obsolete word for experience
verb (ɪkˈspɛrɪˌmɛnt)
5. (intransitive)
to make an experiment or experiments
Derived forms
experimenter (exˈperiˌmenter)
noun
Word origin
C14: from Latin experīmentum proof, trial, from experīrī to test; see experience
experiment in American English
(ɛkˈspɛrəmənt; ɪkˈspɛrəmənt; also, & for v. usually, ɛkˈspɛrəmɛnt; ɪkˈspɛrəmɛnt; often, ɛkˈspɪrəmɛnt; ɪkˈspɪrəmɛnt)
noun
1.
a test or trial of something
; specif.,
a.
any action or process undertaken to discover something not yet known or to demonstrate something known
b.
any action or process designed to find out whether something is effective, workable, valid, etc.
2.
the conducting of such tests or trials; experimentation
verb intransitive
3.
to make an experiment or experiments
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈtrial
Derived forms
experimenter (exˈperiˌmenter)
noun
Word origin
ME < OFr < L experimentum, a trial, test < experiri: see peril
COBUILD Collocations
experiment
scientific experiment
social experiment
Examples of 'experiment' in a sentence
experiment
One experiment showed that walking doubled creative thinking.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Experiments showed that it could greatly increase the growth of the harmful bacteria.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Then he was accused of falsifying research and conducting experiments on humans.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
A bold experiment that pays off.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In one experiment in rural China, farmers were given information about the importance of weather insurance.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
What about experimenting with a company owning track and trains?
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It is already experimenting with battery hybrid road cars.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
What we are seeing is a bold experiment.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The list may not be confined to the military and veterans of past fitful experiments with democracy.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
He used another experiment to show where the blood goes to once it has left the heart.
Benjamin Woolley THE HERBALIST: Nicholas Culpeper Rebel Physician (2004)
This editing process allows her to experiment with new ideas and constantly refine her tastes.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
One of the nurses showed me the room where they carried out the experiments.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
These are the crucial questions which only experiment can answer.
Dyson, Freeman Infinite in All Directions (1989)
Yet industry has sharply opposed the use of data based on experiments with animals.
A Conceptual View of Human Resource Management: Strategic Objectives, Environments,Functions
This means experimenting and testing without prior knowledge of the result.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Swiss clinics have been researching and experimenting with these for years.
Sedgbeer, Sandra The A-Z of Beauty Treatment (1994)
It was not your routine scientific experiment.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The best thing about this experiment has been realising how little price has to do with quality.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Car makers are already experimenting with new sounds.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It is also the testing ground for a bold experiment.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Experiments have shown that sugar reduces the immune white cell count.
Turner, Roger Newman The Hayfever Handbook - a summer survival guide (1988)
Is it a kind of experiment or something?
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The best solution would be a venture capital fund to pay for experiments on new ideas.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
In one research experiment three groups of basketball players were prepared for practice.
Pete Cohen and Sten Cummins with Jennai Cox HABIT BUSTING: A 10-step plan that will change your life (2002)
But there was some improvement, some attempt to experiment.
The Times Literary Supplement (2014)
The country 's modern experiment in coalition politics would have ended in failure.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
He also writes about an experiment into the effects of Botox.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
This is an important factor, if matched area experiments or other attempts to compare and contrast aspects of the test are sought.
Tom Cannon Basic Marketing. Principles and Practice (1986)
In other languages
experiment
British English: experiment /ɪkˈspɛrɪmənt/ NOUN
An experiment is a scientific test which is done to discover what happens to something in particular conditions.
He carried out experiments with vaccines against typhoid fever.
American English: experiment
Arabic: تـَجْرِبَة
Brazilian Portuguese: experiência
Chinese: 实验
Croatian: eksperiment
Czech: pokus
Danish: eksperiment
Dutch: experiment
European Spanish: experimento
Finnish: koe kokeilu
French: expérience laboratoire
German: Experiment
Greek: πείραμα
Italian: esperimento
Japanese: 実験
Korean: 실험
Norwegian: eksperiment
Polish: eksperyment
European Portuguese: experiência
Romanian: experiment
Russian: эксперимент
Latin American Spanish: experimento
Swedish: experiment
Thai: การทดลอง
Turkish: deney
Ukrainian: експеримент
Vietnamese: thí nghiệm
All related terms of 'experiment'
pre-experiment
occurring, existing, or implemented prior to beginning an experiment
animal experiment
an experiment involving non-human animals
control experiment
an experiment designed to check or correct the results of another experiment by removing the variable or variables operating in that other experiment. The comparison obtained is an indication or measurement of the effect of the variables concerned
social experiment
An experiment is a scientific test which is done in order to discover what happens to something in particular conditions.
thought experiment
a test in which one imagines the practical outcome of a hypothesis when physical proof may not be available
binomial experiment
an experiment consisting of a fixed number of independent trials each with two possible outcomes , success and failure , and the same probability of success. The probability of a given number of successes is described by a binominal distribution
scientific experiment
An experiment is a scientific test which is done in order to discover what happens to something in particular conditions.
Michelson-Morley experiment
an experiment first performed in 1887 by A. A. Michelson and E. W. Morley , in which an interferometer was used to attempt to detect a difference in the velocities of light in directions parallel and perpendicular to the earth's motion. The negative result was explained by the special theory of relativity
⇒ The campaigners wanted the laboratories to stop experimenting on animals.运动的参加者希望实验室停止用动物做实验。 (Yùndòng de cānjiāzhě xīwàng shíyànshì tíngzhǐ yòng dòngwù zuò shíyàn.)
(fig) 试(試)验(驗) (shìyàn)
⇒ She said that she was experimenting a recipe on me tonight.她说她今天晚上让我尝的是一个新的食谱。 (Tā shuō tā jīntiān wǎnshang ràng wǒ cháng de shì yī gè xīn de shípǔ.)
to perform or conduct or carry out an experiment做实(實)验(驗) (zuò shíyàn)
as an experiment作为(為)实(實)验(驗) (zuòwéi shíyàn)
an experiment in sth在某事上的试(試)点(點) (zài mǒushì shang de shìdiǎn)
1 (noun)
Definition
a test or investigation to provide evidence for or against a theory
a proposed new law banning animal experiments
Synonyms
test
High levels of dioxin were confirmed by scientific tests.
trial
They have been treated with medication in clinical trials.
investigation
examination
They have taken the documents away for examination.
venture
procedure
demonstration
observation
careful observation of the movement of the planets
try-out
assay
trial run
scientific test
dummy run
2 (noun)
Definition
the trying out of a new idea or method
The only way to find out is by experiment.
Synonyms
research
His groundbreaking research will be vital in future developments.
investigation
He ordered an investigation into the affair.
analysis
They collect blood samples for analysis at the laboratory.
observation
research and development
experimentation
trial and error
(verb)
Definition
to carry out an experiment or experiments
Scientists have been experimenting with a potential new cure.
Synonyms
test
Test the temperature of the water with your wrist.
investigate
Gas officials are investigating the cause of the explosion.
trial
The drug is being trialled at a Brisbane hospital.
research
They research the needs of both employers and staff.
try
It's best not to try a new recipe on such an important occasion.
examine
He examined her passport and stamped it.
pilot
sample
We sampled a selection of different bottled waters.
verify
put to the test
assay
She sat down and assayed me with her large brown eyes.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of analysis
Definition
the separation of a whole into its parts for study or interpretation
They collect blood samples for analysis at the laboratory.
Synonyms
examination,
test,
division,
inquiry,
investigation,
resolution,
interpretation,
breakdown,
scanning,
separation,
evaluation,
scrutiny,
sifting,
anatomy,
dissolution,
dissection,
assay,
perusal,
anatomization
in the sense of assay
Definition
an analysis of the purity of an ore or precious metal
Synonyms
analysis,
test,
trial,
investigation,
examination,
inspection
in the sense of assay
Definition
to analyse (a substance, such as gold) to find out how pure it is
She sat down and assayed me with her large brown eyes.