Lemon test

proper noun

The test for whether a government action violates the Establishment Clause of the United States' constitution: it does so if it lacks a secular purpose, has its primary effect as promoting or inhibiting religion, or fosters an excessive entanglement of government with religion.

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Meanings

proper noun
  1. The test for whether a government action violates the Establishment Clause of the United States' constitution: it does so if it lacks a secular purpose, has its primary effect as promoting or inhibiting religion, or fosters an excessive entanglement of government with religion.

Origin

After Lemon v. Kurtzman, the United States Supreme Court case in which the test was first spelled out. Lemon is the surname of its lead plaintiff, Alton Lemon.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

Lemon test. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Lemon%20test

MLA

“Lemon test.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Lemon%20test. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Lemon test,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Lemon%20test.

Source: Lemon test on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.