litmus test
noun
Did you know?
Litmus Test Has Scientific Origins
It was in the 14th century that scientists discovered that litmus, a mixture of colored organic compounds obtained from lichen, turns red in acid solutions and blue in alkaline solutions and, thus, can be used as an acid-base indicator. Six centuries later, people began using litmus test figuratively. It can now refer to any single factor that establishes the true character of something or causes it to be assigned to one category or another. Often it refers to something (such as an opinion about a political or moral issue) that can be used to make a judgment about whether someone or something is acceptable or not.
Examples of litmus test in a Sentence
Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Father of the last living American hostage in Gaza hopes Trump can bring his son home
Walters: UC abandons diversity litmus test for faculty.
—Joe Mathews, The Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2025
The April 1 election will be a litmus test early in Trump’s term in a key presidential swing state.
—Scott Bauer, Chicago Tribune, 8 Mar. 2025
In his postgame news conference, Lloyd called Houston a great litmus test.
—Doug Haller, The Athletic, 16 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for litmus test
Cite this Entry
“Litmus test.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/litmus%20test. Accessed 28 Apr. 2025.
Copy Citation
Share