test-fly
verb
test-flew
ˈtest-ˌflü 
; test-flown
ˈtest-ˌflōn
; test-flying
; test-flown
ˈtest-ˌflōn
; test-flying
: to subject to a flight test
test-fly an experimental plane
Examples of test-fly in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
If all goes well, the team plans to test-fly the hybrid-propulsion Saab 340 in the mid-2020s.
—
Amy Jankovsky, IEEE Spectrum, 30 Nov. 2023
The plan was for a brisk and breezy mission—test-flying Boeing’s brand-new Starliner spacecraft up to the ISS for a short eight-day cruise.
—Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 13 Aug. 2024
If all goes well, the team plans to test-fly the hybrid-propulsion Saab 340 within about six years.
—Amy Jankovsky, IEEE Spectrum, 30 Nov. 2023
The team verified this by test-flying various rectangular sheets of paper, changing the front weight by adding thin metallic tape to one edge.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 14 Nov. 2023
Airbus test-flew a miniaturized airliner demonstrator in 2019.
—Sébastien Roblin, Popular Mechanics, 24 Aug. 2023
Now, one company has gotten a step closer to making that vision a reality, receiving government approval to test-fly its sports car.
—Irina Ivanova, CBS News, 4 July 2023
The two met up last week to test-fly a plane that had come out of maintenance.
—Emily Davies, Washington Post, 6 June 2023
On Thursday, the same day as the tour, REGENT — which stands for Regional Electric Ground Effect Nautical Transport — was test-flying its quarter-scale unmanned prototype in the waters of Narragansett Bay nearby.
—Brian Amaral, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Feb. 2023
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.
Amy Jankovsky, IEEE Spectrum, 30 Nov. 2023
The plan was for a brisk and breezy mission—test-flying Boeing’s brand-new Starliner spacecraft up to the ISS for a short eight-day cruise.
—Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 13 Aug. 2024
If all goes well, the team plans to test-fly the hybrid-propulsion Saab 340 within about six years.
—Amy Jankovsky, IEEE Spectrum, 30 Nov. 2023
The team verified this by test-flying various rectangular sheets of paper, changing the front weight by adding thin metallic tape to one edge.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 14 Nov. 2023
Airbus test-flew a miniaturized airliner demonstrator in 2019.
—Sébastien Roblin, Popular Mechanics, 24 Aug. 2023
Now, one company has gotten a step closer to making that vision a reality, receiving government approval to test-fly its sports car.
—Irina Ivanova, CBS News, 4 July 2023
The two met up last week to test-fly a plane that had come out of maintenance.
—Emily Davies, Washington Post, 6 June 2023
On Thursday, the same day as the tour, REGENT — which stands for Regional Electric Ground Effect Nautical Transport — was test-flying its quarter-scale unmanned prototype in the waters of Narragansett Bay nearby.
—Brian Amaral, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Feb. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Test-fly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/test-fly. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share