litmus test

noun

: a test in which a single factor (such as an attitude, event, or fact) is decisive

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Litmus Test Has Scientific Origins

It was in the 14th century that scientists discovered that litmus, a mixture of colored organic compounds obtained from lichen, turns red in acid solutions and blue in alkaline solutions and, thus, can be used as an acid-base indicator. Six centuries later, people began using litmus test figuratively. It can now refer to any single factor that establishes the true character of something or causes it to be assigned to one category or another. Often it refers to something (such as an opinion about a political or moral issue) that can be used to make a judgment about whether someone or something is acceptable or not.

Examples of litmus test in a Sentence

The party is using attitudes about gun control as a litmus test for political candidates.

Recent Examples on the Web

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

This sale will be a good litmus test for sports valuations across the industry. —

Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 23 Oct. 2024 Holding leadership roles in those territories is a great litmus test for this. —

Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 23 Oct. 2024 In the co-main event, the fast-rising Kyler Phillips faces veteran Rob Font in a bit of a litmus test for the former. —

Brian Mazique, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024 The Bulldogs, however, will be a truer championship litmus test. —

Andrew Greif, NBC News, 13 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for litmus test