verb, tried, try⋅ing, noun, plural tries.| 1. | to attempt to do or accomplish: Try it before you say it's simple. |
| 2. | to test the effect or result of (often fol. by out): to try a new method; to try a recipe out. |
| 3. | to endeavor to evaluate by experiment or experience: to try a new field; to try a new book. |
| 4. | to test the quality, value, fitness, accuracy, etc., of: Will you try a spoonful of this and tell me what you think of it? |
| 5. | Law. to examine and determine judicially, as a cause; determine judicially the guilt or innocence of (a person). |
| 6. | to put to a severe test; subject to strain, as of endurance, patience, affliction, or trouble; tax: to try one's patience. |
| 7. | to attempt to open (a door, window, etc.) in order to find out whether it is locked: Try all the doors before leaving. |
| 8. | to melt down (fat, blubber, etc.) to obtain the oil; render (usually fol. by out). |
| 9. | Archaic.
|
| 10. | to make an attempt or effort; strive: Try to complete the examination. |
| 11. | Nautical. to lie to in heavy weather under just sufficient sail to head into the wind. |
| 12. | an attempt or effort: to have a try at something. |
| 13. | Rugby. a score of three points earned by advancing the ball to or beyond the opponents' goal line. |
| 14. | try on, to put on an article of clothing in order to judge its appearance and fit: You can't really tell how it will look until you try it on. |
| 15. | try out, to use experimentally; test: to try out a new car. |
| 16. | try out for, to compete for (a position, membership, etc.): Over a hundred boys came to try out for the football team. |
| 17. | give it the old college try, Informal. to make a sincere effort: I gave it the old college try and finally found an apartment. |
| 18. | try it, that, etc., on, Chiefly British Informal.
|

Try abbr.
tryptophan
try out
Undergo a qualifying test, as for an athletic team. For example, I'm trying out for the basketball team. [Mid-1900s]
Test or use experimentally, as in They're trying out new diesels, or We're trying out this new margarine. [Late 1800s]