experiment

An experiment is a learning experience that someone tries in order to find a result. Experiments arise naturally from human curiosity.

In these sentences, "experiment" is a noun:

• He’s working on an experiment.
• She did an experiment involving mice.
• Scientists conducted the experiment in order to confirm their ideas about changes in the weather.
• Several experiments confirmed the existence of water on Mars.
• Experiments often involve trial and error. Mistakes are made, but valuable knowledge is gained in the process of making these mistakes.
• Rhonda wants to try an experiment with asparagus and chicken in a new recipe.

In the next set of sentences, "experiment" is a verb:

• The company is experimenting with biotechnology.
• They want to experiment on animals to determine if the products are safe for human consumption.
• I’ve experimented with several different chat rooms for this website.
• Let’s experiment with the scheduling to see which solution is best.
• She experimented with drugs for several years before dying of an overdose. (To experiment with drugs is to take illegal and prescription drugs without a doctor’s consent.)

As a noun, this word becomes "experimentation."

• Years of experimentation helped the doctor understand the benefits of the medication.

As an adjective, "experiment" becomes "experimental."

• New experimental medical procedures eventually become routine practice after years of development and observation.

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May 7, 2013