trial and error
noun
: a finding out of the best way to reach a desired result or a correct solution by trying out one or more ways or means and by noting and eliminating errors or causes of failure
also
: the trying of one thing or another until something succeeds
Examples of trial and error in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Cons: Finding the optimal dosage may require some trial and error, as everyone's response to CBD oil can vary.
—
Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Through much trial and error — finding a cult following thanks to college gigs, but bombing at venues like Las Vegas or the Playboy Club — Martin began finding mainstream success not long before reaching his deadline.
—Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 2 Apr. 2024
Everything was trial and error there, from farming to microdosing.
—David Peisner, Rolling Stone, 24 Mar. 2024
What followed, according to Kwak, was 18 months of trial and error.
—Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appétit, 15 Mar. 2024
Those common interests had to be constructed, made socially legible, through a process of trial and error.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024
Through trial and error, the league found that the best way to pass on tips and fixes was often through equipment and software vendors that already had a technical contact at the establishment.
—Joseph Menn, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2024
If the dose of your prescription needs to be tweaked, don’t be discouraged—the process often takes some trial and error.
—Kayla Blanton, SELF, 19 Mar. 2024
However, such a system relies on fast feedback loops to allow trial and error–at a company level to test technologies, and at an industry level to back the winners and shut down the losers.
—Sassie Duggleby, Fortune, 15 Mar. 2024
Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Through much trial and error — finding a cult following thanks to college gigs, but bombing at venues like Las Vegas or the Playboy Club — Martin began finding mainstream success not long before reaching his deadline.
—Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 2 Apr. 2024
Everything was trial and error there, from farming to microdosing.
—David Peisner, Rolling Stone, 24 Mar. 2024
What followed, according to Kwak, was 18 months of trial and error.
—Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appétit, 15 Mar. 2024
Those common interests had to be constructed, made socially legible, through a process of trial and error.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024
Through trial and error, the league found that the best way to pass on tips and fixes was often through equipment and software vendors that already had a technical contact at the establishment.
—Joseph Menn, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2024
If the dose of your prescription needs to be tweaked, don’t be discouraged—the process often takes some trial and error.
—Kayla Blanton, SELF, 19 Mar. 2024
However, such a system relies on fast feedback loops to allow trial and error–at a company level to test technologies, and at an industry level to back the winners and shut down the losers.
—Sassie Duggleby, Fortune, 15 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'trial and error.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1806, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near trial and error
Cite this Entry
“Trial and error.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trial%20and%20error. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
trial and error
noun
: the trying of one thing or another until something succeeds
More from Merriam-Webster on trial and error
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share