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
Examples of test case in a Sentence
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She and two other plaintiffs have been selected for bellwether trials — essentially test cases for both sides to see how their arguments play out before a jury.
—
Barbara Ortutay, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
The site has become a test case for how Dallas balances the interests of housing development, community trust and environmental risk.
—Dallas Morning News, 6 Feb. 2026
Legal experts have stated that the outcome of this case could impact more than a thousand other similar cases dating back to 2021, serving as a test case to determine what damages, if any, may be awarded to plaintiffs.
—Julie Sharp, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
As a test case, the team examined an atomically thin sample of bismuth strontium calcium copper oxide, or BSCCO.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for test case
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Barbara Ortutay, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
The site has become a test case for how Dallas balances the interests of housing development, community trust and environmental risk.
—Dallas Morning News, 6 Feb. 2026
Legal experts have stated that the outcome of this case could impact more than a thousand other similar cases dating back to 2021, serving as a test case to determine what damages, if any, may be awarded to plaintiffs.
—Julie Sharp, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
As a test case, the team examined an atomically thin sample of bismuth strontium calcium copper oxide, or BSCCO.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for test case
Cite this Entry
“Test case.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/test%20case. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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