Meaning & use
trial runs
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“trial runs” is a form of “trial run”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meaning
nouncountable
Practice attempts made to see whether a plan, machine or event will work properly before it is done for real.
Grammar: Usually followed by of or for: trial runs of the new system.
Patterns
- trial runs of something
- trial runs for something
The airline carried out trial runs of the new baggage system.
We did two trial runs before the wedding to check the timing.
The company ran trial runs of the app with a small group of users.
Word forms
| singular | trial run |
|---|
Common combinations
- conduct trial runs
- Engineers conducted trial runs before opening the tunnel.
- several trial runs
- The band did several trial runs of the show.
- successful trial runs
- After successful trial runs, the bus route became permanent.
- trial runs of a system
- Trial runs of the system exposed three bugs.
- give it a trial run
- Let's give the new schedule a trial run next week.
Synonyms and how they differ
- rehearsals
- Rehearsals are practice for a performance, while trial runs test whether any process or product works.
- pilot tests
- Pilot tests are small formal studies before a full launch, so they sound more official than trial runs.
- dry runs
- Dry runs carry out every step without the real outcome, while trial runs may produce real results.
- tests
- Tests is more general and does not suggest a preview before the real event.
Word family
- trial noun
- a test of something new
- trial run noun
- one practice attempt
- trial-and-error adjective
- learning by trying and correcting mistakes
- trialed verb
- tested something before wide use
Commonly confused: trial runs or trials?
trial runs vs trials
Trials can mean court cases, which is not the meaning of trial runs.
Practice
Before the festival opened, the organizers held two ___ to make sure the lights and sound worked.
Choose one answer.
Trial runs are tests done before the real event. Final runs would not be a check beforehand, and court cases are a legal meaning.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “trial runs”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.