test case
noun
1
: a representative case whose outcome is likely to serve as a precedent
2
: a proceeding brought by agreement or on an understanding of the parties to obtain a decision as to the constitutionality of a statute
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The fate of the acquisition has emerged as an early test case for regulators in the U.S. and EU who have vowed to scrutinize mergers more closely after years allowing many corporate combinations. 
Kim Mackrael, WSJ, 6 Sep. 2022 The failure of a transportation tax to qualify for the ballot this year deprived San Diego County of, among other things, an interesting test case: How well, or poorly, will citizens’ initiatives work to fund government? Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Aug. 2022 With workers now undergoing mandatory training and state inspectors beginning enforcement, the Oregon standards may serve as a test case as a handful of other states and the federal government slowly develop rules amid industry pushback. Tribune News Service, oregonlive, 21 Aug. 2022 So, Orca stands out as a critical test case of whether the Navy is on the right track to secure the Pacific Ocean for friendly nations in the years ahead. Loren Thompson, Forbes, 2 June 2022 The Panthers, with their comeback ability and knack for scoring goals in bunches, should be an interesting test case for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2022 Meanwhile, the first January 6 defendant to go on trial has asked a federal judge to throw out his conviction and to schedule a new trial, in what's expected to be an important test case for scores of US Capitol riot prosecutions to come. Alexandra Meeks, CNN, 22 Mar. 2022 With Covid concerns receding and U.S. employers calling staff back to offices, San Francisco stands to be an important test case on the persistence of remote work and how a leading American city is forced to adapt. Romy Varghese, Bloomberg.com, 3 Mar. 2022 Each test case should be broken down into a sequence of succinct steps. Margarita Simonova, Forbes, 7 July 2022 See More
Kim Mackrael, WSJ, 6 Sep. 2022 The failure of a transportation tax to qualify for the ballot this year deprived San Diego County of, among other things, an interesting test case: How well, or poorly, will citizens’ initiatives work to fund government? Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Aug. 2022 With workers now undergoing mandatory training and state inspectors beginning enforcement, the Oregon standards may serve as a test case as a handful of other states and the federal government slowly develop rules amid industry pushback. Tribune News Service, oregonlive, 21 Aug. 2022 So, Orca stands out as a critical test case of whether the Navy is on the right track to secure the Pacific Ocean for friendly nations in the years ahead. Loren Thompson, Forbes, 2 June 2022 The Panthers, with their comeback ability and knack for scoring goals in bunches, should be an interesting test case for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2022 Meanwhile, the first January 6 defendant to go on trial has asked a federal judge to throw out his conviction and to schedule a new trial, in what's expected to be an important test case for scores of US Capitol riot prosecutions to come. Alexandra Meeks, CNN, 22 Mar. 2022 With Covid concerns receding and U.S. employers calling staff back to offices, San Francisco stands to be an important test case on the persistence of remote work and how a leading American city is forced to adapt. Romy Varghese, Bloomberg.com, 3 Mar. 2022 Each test case should be broken down into a sequence of succinct steps. Margarita Simonova, Forbes, 7 July 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1850, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Legal Definition
test case
see case sense 1a