tester

1 of 3

noun (1)

test·​er ˈte-stər How to pronounce tester (audio)
: one that tests or is used for testing

tester

2 of 3

noun (2)

tes·​ter ˈtē-stər How to pronounce tester (audio) ˈte- How to pronounce tester (audio)
: the canopy over a bed, pulpit, or altar

tester

3 of 3

noun (3)

tes·​ter ˈte-stər How to pronounce tester (audio)
: teston sense a

Examples of tester in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Today’s puzzle took our testers an average of 5 guesses out of 6, or moderately challenging. — New York Times Games, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2026 The quiet release quickly picked up steam with praise from testers and a massive vote of confidence from investors. — Allison Johnson, The Verge, 9 Oct. 2026 Every question that each tester asks is something the platform should answer on its own. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026 Our taste testers universally agreed this was the most party-ready jar of the bunch. — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tester

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

Middle English, headboard of a bed, canopy, from Anglo-French, from teste head, from Late Latin testa skull, from Latin, shell

Noun (3)

modification of Middle French testart, from teston

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1661, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1546, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tester was in the 14th century

Rhymes for tester

See All Rhymes for tester

Browse Nearby Words

testee
tester
tester bed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tester.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tester. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

tester

1 of 2 noun
tes·​ter ˈtēs-tər How to pronounce tester (audio) ˈtes- How to pronounce tester (audio)
: a canopy or a frame for a canopy over a bed, pulpit, or altar

tester

2 of 2 noun
test·​er
ˈtes-tər
: one that tests

More from Merriam-Webster on tester

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tester

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