alpha
n. C / U B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈæɫfə// UK //ˈælfɐ// al·pha
n. the first version of a product, like a computer program, that is still being tested. It is usually not finished and might have many mistakes.
n. the primary or earliest version of a software product or hardware design, typically used for internal testing before moving to a beta phase.
The game is currently in alpha and has many bugs.
The development team released the alpha version to internal testers to identify major crashes before the public trial.
While the alpha build demonstrated the core mechanics of the engine, it lacked the optimization required for stable performance on consumer-grade hardware.
Usage
Often used as a modifier before another noun ('alpha test', 'alpha version') or as an uncountable state ('in alpha').