test automation
compound.compound. the use of software tools to run tests on computer programs automatically. It helps teams check if their code works correctly without a human having to do every step by hand.
compound. the practice of using specialized software to control the execution of software tests and compare actual outcomes with predicted outcomes. This process aims to reduce manual intervention in repetitive testing tasks to increase efficiency and coverage.
Our team uses test automation to find bugs quickly.
By implementing test automation for our daily builds, we caught several critical regressions before they reached the production environment.
While test automation significantly accelerates the regression testing phase, it requires a substantial initial investment in script development and ongoing maintenance to remain effective as the application evolves.
A compound formed from the noun test, derived from the Old French test meaning an earthen pot used for assaying metals, and automation, a mid-20th-century coinage from the Greek automatos.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Last updated July 22, 2026