examination

noun

ex·​am·​i·​na·​tion ig-ˌza-mə-ˈnā-shən 

1

: the act or process of examining : the state of being examined

2

: an exercise designed to examine progress or test qualification or knowledge

3

: a formal interrogation

examinational

ig-ˌza-mə-ˈnā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• exam
• quiz
• test

Examples of examination in a Sentence

On closer examination, the painting appears to be a fake.

The victim's clothes were sent to the lab for examination.

The police made a rigorous examination of the evidence at the crime scene.

The court ordered that the defendant undergo a psychiatric examination.

I have to study for the history examination.

procedures that are not allowed during examination of witnesses

Recent Examples on the Web

No further details are anticipated until the examination results are known. —Christina Shaw, Fox News, 21 Mar. 2025

An examination with a CT scanner is prepared in the emergency room of the university hospital (UKJ) in Jena, Germany. —Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 20 Mar. 2025

The severity—and seemingly continuous spread—of cases in recent outbreaks has experts calling for a closer examination of the nation’s rates of childhood measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccinations. —Ripley Cleghorn, Scientific American, 20 Mar. 2025

Mackenzie Davis stars in the story of what happens after the end of civilization, which may have seemed too familiar or too current for some people, but this is a remarkably rewarding examination of the power of connection and the need for expression, even after everything has fallen apart. —Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing examination

• cross-examination
• direct examination
• entrance examination
• examination table
• physical examination
• postmortem examination
• redirect examination
• re-examination
• self-examination
• under examination

Rhymes for examination

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

examination

noun

ex·​am·​i·​na·​tion ig-ˌzam-ə-ˈnā-shən 

1

: the act or process of examining : the state of being examined

2

: a test to determine progress, fitness, or knowledge

Medical Definition

examination

noun

ex·​am·​i·​na·​tion ig-ˌzam-ə-ˈnā-shən 

: the act or process of inspecting or testing for evidence of disease or abnormality see physical examination

Legal Definition

examination

noun

ex·​am·​i·​na·​tion

: the act or process of examining

especially : a formal questioning especially in a court proceeding see also cross-examination, direct examination, recross-examination, redirect examination compare affidavit, deposition