Wiktionary
n. (context idiomatic English) Any venue, setup, etc. used for experimentation, testing, proving a concept, etc.
WordNet
n. a place equipped with instruments for testing (e.g. engines or machinery or computer programs etc.) under working conditions
Usage examples of "test bed".
It goes to Static Testwe put it on the test bed and shake it to pieces.
It goes to Static Test-we put it on the test bed and shake it to pieces.
I think it can be modified into a full-scale test bed for a starship.
But you see our entire world as an experiment, just a test bed where you play with theories, where you collect data.
The vehicle that we demonstrated today was a test bed for a Nuclear Indigenously Fueled engine.
The others ranged from old medium cruisers being upgraded and recommissioned, to the EX-F, a weapons and propulsion test bed built on a Dreadnaught hull.