Experiment — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ik-ˈsper-ə-mənt/ (noun) /ik-ˈsper-ə-ˌment/ (verb) ex·per·i·ment

Meaning & Definition of Experiment

Experiment (noun)

  1. test, trial
  2. a tentative procedure or policy
  3. an operation or procedure carried out under controlled conditions in order to discover an unknown effect or law, to test or establish a hypothesis, or to illustrate a known law

Experiment (verb)

  1. to carry out experiments, try out a new procedure, idea, or activity

Experiment (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a procedure or operation carried out to resolve an uncertainty

    "Benjamin Franklin's famous experiment in which he flew a kite in a thunderstorm to see if lightning and electricity were identical"

    similar: essay, experimentation, test, trial
    related: trial and error, dry run, shakedown, exercise, practice, rehearsal, tryout, workout, crucible, ordeal, attempt, effort, try

Related Entry: Experiment (with) (verb)

Experiment (with) is a different word from Experiment. The synonyms below are for experiment (with), not for experiment.

  1. as in study, investigate

    similar: check (out), examine, explore, feel (out), investigate, research, study, sample, test, try (out), resample, retest

Related Entry: Control (noun)

Control is a different word from Experiment. The synonyms below are for control, not for experiment.

  1. the right or means to command or control others

    "teachers are responsible for the students under their control"

    similar: arm, authority, clutch, command, death grip, dominion, grip, hold, mastery, power, reign, rein(s), sway
    related: clout, influence, leverage, pull, voice, weight, jurisdiction, direction, management, dominance, imperium, predominance, sovereignty, supremacy, prerogative, privilege, right, eminence, importance, moment
    opposite: impotence, impotency, powerlessness
    near: helplessness, weakness

  2. a mechanism for adjusting the operation of a device, machine, or system

    "the controls for the player are well marked"

    similar: controller, regulator
    related: actuator, button, dial, key, knob, lever, push button, selector, switch

  3. the ability to direct the course of something

    "after the tail fell off, the plane went out of the pilot's control"

    "firefighters keeping control of the blaze"

    similar: grasp, hand(s)
    related: clutch, grip, hold, mastery, arm, command, dominion, helm, sway, authority, domination, jurisdiction, might, power, administration, direction, governance, government, guidance, management, operation, oversight, regulation, running, superintendence, supervision
    near: helplessness, weakness, impotence, impotency, powerlessness

  4. the act or activity of looking after and making decisions about something

    "control of manufacturing operations was given to a new manager with fresh ideas"

    similar: administration, care, charge, conduct, direction, governance, government, guidance, handling, intendance, management, operation, oversight, presidency, regulation, running, stewardship, superintendence, superintendency, supervision
    related: generalship, leadership, rulership, agency, aegis, custody, guardianship, keeping, lap, protection, safekeeping, trust, tutelage, ward, engineering, logistics, machination, manipulation, coadministration, codirection, comanagement

  5. the fact or state of having (something) at one's disposal

    "took control of the process of selecting candidates for the scholarship"

    similar: enjoyment, hands, keeping, possession
    related: ownership, proprietorship, authority, command, dominion, mastery, power, repossession, retention, claiming, collaring, commandeering, confiscation, procurement
    opposite: nonpossession
    near: dispossession, relinquishment, surrendering, transferal

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Experiment

The most common words with a similar meaning to Experiment:

essay, experimentation, test, trial

Related Words for Experiment

trial and error, dry run, shakedown, exercise, practice, rehearsal, tryout, workout, crucible, ordeal, attempt, effort, try

Word Forms of Experiment

Inflections: experimented, experimenting, experiments

Derived words: experimentation (noun), experimenter (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Experiment

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 experience:1

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Experiment

Words & Phrases Containing Experiment

experiment station, control experiment, controlled experiment, thought experiment, preexperimental

Frequently Asked Questions about Experiment

What does "Experiment" mean?

"Experiment" means test, trial. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: test, trial.

What is another word for "Experiment"?

Other words for "Experiment" include essay, experimentation, test and trial. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Experiment" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Experiment"?

There are 17 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Experiment". Common alternatives include essay, experimentation, test and trial.

How do you use "Experiment" in a sentence?

Examples of "Experiment" in a sentence: "Benjamin Franklin's famous experiment in which he flew a kite in a thunderstorm to see if lightning and electricity were identical".

Is "Experiment" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Experiment" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Experiment" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B1-level word, "Experiment" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+.

How do you pronounce "Experiment"?

"Experiment" is pronounced /ik-ˈsper-ə-mənt/ as a noun and /ik-ˈsper-ə-ˌment/ as a verb and divided into syllables as ex·per·i·ment.

What is the origin of the word "Experiment"?

"Experiment" comes from 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 experience:1. First known use: 14th century.