regression testing
compound.compound. a way of checking that new changes to a computer program haven't broken any parts that used to work correctly. You do this after fixing a bug or adding a new feature.
compound. a type of software testing that verifies that recent code changes have not adversely affected existing functional or non-functional features. It ensures that the software has not regressed to a previous, less stable state after modifications.
We need to run regression testing before we release the update.
After the developers patched the security flaw, the QA team performed regression testing to ensure the login system still worked perfectly.
Automated regression testing suites are essential in continuous integration environments, as they allow teams to detect unintended side effects of code commits immediately without manual intervention.
A compound of the noun regression and the gerund testing. The term derives from the Latin regredi, meaning to go back or return, applied here to the act of verifying that software has not reverted to a previous state of error.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Last updated July 22, 2026