trial

An occasion on which a person or thing is tested to find out how well they perform or how suitable they are.

The testing of a product or procedure.

A research study to test the effectiveness and safety of a drug, medical procedure, etc.

An event in which athletes’ or animals’ abilities are tested as they compete for a place on a team, or to move on to the next level of a championship, for example.

A piece of ware used to test the heat of a kiln.

An internal examination set by Eton College.

An occasion on which armies or individuals meet in combat.

A meeting or series of meetings in a court of law at which evidence is presented to a judge (and sometimes a jury) to allow them to decide on a legal matter (especially whether an accused person is guilty of a crime).

A difficult or annoying experience or person; (especially religion) such an experience seen as a test of faith and piety.

The action of trying (to do) something, especially more than once. (This sense is still current in the expression trial and error.)