pilot study
nounUK /ˈpaɪlət ˈstʌdi/
US /ˈpaɪlət ˈstʌdi/
A pilot study is a small test done first to see if a big plan will work.
The scientists ran a pilot study with ten kids before testing the new game with the whole school.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A first small version of a project used to check costs, time, and problems before the full project starts.
The city did a pilot study on the new bus route before adding more buses.
3. A practice round in a classroom or clinic to see if a lesson or treatment is easy to follow.
The teacher's pilot study showed that the new reading plan helped students finish faster.
4. A short early test in science that helps researchers decide whether a larger experiment is worth doing.
The pilot study found no side effects, so the team planned a bigger trial.