proof of concept

American

[proof uhv kon-sept] / ˈpruf əv ˈkɒn sɛpt /

noun

a small-scale demonstration that a business plan, product in development, etc., is likely to be successful in later stages (often used attributively): The next step is a proof-of-concept clinical trial to evaluate the drug.

A rough prototype of the device was constructed as proof of concept.
The next step is a proof-of-concept clinical trial to evaluate the drug.

proof of concept British

noun

commerce the stage during the development of a product when it is established that the product will function as intended

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of proof of concept

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Meyers calls his AI testing “proof of concept,” a phrase also used in the pharmaceutical development side of the business.

From The Wall Street Journal

They have now shown they have a proof of concept, that they know logistically how to do this—including getting a federal magistrate judge to sign a warrant.

From Slate

“In other words: fewer ‘proof of concept’ projects, more ‘this is how we run the business’ contracts.”

From Barron's

For Cohan, “Heated Rivalry” is valuable proof of concept as he attempts to convince more Canadian creators to return to their roots, regardless of where they now live in the world.

From Los Angeles Times

But it served the purpose as an early proof of concept that an electric car could be made sexy.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023