a DNA test to establish whether a man is a child's father
The court forced him to take a paternity test.
paternity test in American English
noun
an assessment of possible paternity based on a comparison of the genetic markers of the offspring and those of the putative father
Word origin
[1925–30]This word is first recorded in the period 1925–30. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: decibel, hot spot, off-line, payload, runout
Examples of 'paternity test' in a sentence
paternity test
He can insist on a paternity test as a condition of maintenance.
The Sun (2007)
Only time, and perhaps a paternity test, will tell who the father is.
The Sun (2016)
He then told her he wanted a paternity test, it was said.
The Sun (2015)
I will accept full responsibility after a paternity test.
The Sun (2012)
But he later insisted on a paternity test.
The Sun (2012)
He has since demanded a paternity test — to which she has agreed.
The Sun (2012)
Cal has to decide whether to take a paternity test.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
He was made to take a 400 paternity test and his pay was docked.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Amber escapes her own birthday party as pressure over the paternity test builds.