mock out
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To replace (source code or other software elements) with a stub that exhibits the desired behaviour, typically for use in automated testing.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
Now that we know we have mocked out the objects and verified that the method we expected was called, we are ready to write a unit test.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “mock out” mean?
To replace (source code or other software elements) with a stub that exhibits the desired behaviour, typically for use in automated testing.
Is “mock out” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.