testing - the act of subjecting to experimental test in order to determine how well something works; "they agreed to end the testing of atomic weapons"

trial and error - experimenting until a solution is found

research project, scientific research - research into questions posed by scientific theories and hypotheses

Michelson-Morley experiment - a celebrated experiment conducted by Albert Michelson and Edward Morley; their failure to detect any influence of the earth's motion on the velocity of light was the starting point for Einstein's theory of relativity

control experiment - an experiment designed to control for variables affecting the results of another experiment

control condition, control - a standard against which other conditions can be compared in a scientific experiment; "the control condition was inappropriate for the conclusions he wished to draw"

experimental condition, condition - the procedure that is varied in order to estimate a variable's effect by comparison with a control condition

inquiry, research, enquiry - a search for knowledge; "their pottery deserves more research than it has received"

pilot experiment - a preliminary experiment whose outcome can lead to a more extensive experiment

trial run, tryout, test, trial - trying something to find out about it; "a sample for ten days free trial"; "a trial of progesterone failed to relieve the pain"

venture - any venturesome undertaking especially one with an uncertain outcome

investigate, look into - investigate scientifically; "Let's investigate the syntax of Chinese"

experiment, try out - try something new, as in order to gain experience; "Students experiment sexually"; "The composer experimented with a new style"

experiment - to conduct a test or investigation; "We are experimenting with the new drug in order to fight this disease"