Test means to examine or try something to see how it works, what it's made of, or whether it meets certain standards. A scientist might test a hypothesis by running experiments. An engineer might test a bridge design by checking if it can hold weight. Your parents might test a smoke detector each month to make sure it still works.

The word also refers to the examination itself. When you take a test at school, your teacher is checking what you've learned. A driving test shows whether you can operate a car safely. A medical test might check your blood or eyesight. Some tests measure knowledge, others measure skills or physical qualities.

Testing helps us discover truth. Athletes test themselves in practice so they're ready for competition. Companies test new products before selling them. Even friendships get tested during disagreements or difficult times, revealing how strong the relationship really is.

You can also put something to the test, meaning you challenge it to prove itself. If someone claims they're the fastest runner in class, a race would put that claim to the test. The word carries this sense of finding out what's real and what's just talk.