proof of concept

noun

plural proofs of concept
: something that demonstrates the feasibility of a concept (such as a product idea or a business plan)
Even if it succeeds, the $5.9 billion reactor will be just a proof of concept, with commercial fusion power still decades away.Corey S. Powell
Malware and virus-writing used to be something hobbyist hackers did for fun, as proofs of concept. Not anymore.Mat Honan
often hyphenated when used before another noun
No invention is worth anything without the proof-of-concept prototype.Shintaro Osano
proof-of-concept experiments funded with public money and years away from any commercial application, were sponsored by university biology departments.Andrew Curry

Examples of proof of concept in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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As dialogue policing faces setbacks, an uncertain future If the Proud Boys rally in 2022 provided a proof of concept for the Columbus police and city leaders, the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in July 2024 provided a chance to put dialogue policing on a national stage. Alfredo Sosa, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Jan. 2025 And that had kind of a funky track under it, so there was already a proof of concept of the song surviving very well with Ari singing on it that kind of sounded like that. Chris Willman, Variety, 5 Jan. 2025 The proof of concept is in the pudding, McAlear relayed. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024 Use insights from the proof of concept to develop a road map highlighting potential time and cost savings achievable through automation. Raghu Bongula, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for proof of concept 

Word History

First Known Use

1967, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of proof of concept was in 1967

Dictionary Entries Near proof of concept

Cite this Entry

“Proof of concept.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proof%20of%20concept. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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