evaluate

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verb eval·u·ate \i-ˈval-yə-ˌwāt, -yü-ˌāt\

Definition of evaluate

evaluated

;

evaluating

transitive verb
1 : to determine or fix the value of
2 : to determine the significance, worth, or condition of usually by careful appraisal and study

evaluation

play \i-ˌval-yə-ˈwā-shən, -yü-ˈā-\ noun

evaluative

play \i-ˈval-yə-ˌwā-tiv, -yü-ˌā-\ adjective

evaluator

play \i-ˈval-yə-ˌwā-tər, -yü-ˌā-\ noun

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Examples of evaluate in a Sentence

We need to evaluate our options.
evaluate a training program as effective

Recent Examples of evaluate from the Web

The piece evaluates the developments and overall situation in our country, but not without errors.

— The Economist, "LettersLetters to the editor," 13 July 2017
GULFPORT, Miss. -- Medical crews are evaluating visitors after complaints of chemical exposure at a water park in Gulfport, Mississippi, CBS affiliate WLOX-TV in Biloxi reports.

— CBS News, "Medical crews respond to reports of chemical exposure at Miss. water park," 10 July 2017
So now a NASA committee has to evaluate all the Dawn proposals and pick which one seems best.

— avery thompson, Popular Mechanics, "NASA's Dawn Spacecraft Could Fly to One Last World in the Asteroid Belt," 7 July 2017
In 2014, a German refugee program had him evaluate about 1,400 ISIS victims under consideration for emergency asylum.

— emily feldman, MSNBC Newsweek, "Can ISIS's Indoctrinated Kids be Saved From a Future of Violent Jihad?," 6 July 2017
In one case, an untenured conservative professor was fired after publishing more (and more consequential) scholarship than even some of the tenured professors who evaluated him.

— david french, National Review, "Here’s How Anti-Conservative Academic Discrimination Works," 5 July 2017
Patients are examined by a multidisciplinary staff trained in wound care and evaluated for all possible physical conditions, such as diabetes, that could interfere with proper healing.

— for kentuckyone, The Courier-Journal, "Do you have a wound that just won’t heal?," 5 July 2017
Berrios has defended the assessment system, but nevertheless agreed with County Board President Toni Preckwinkle to have an outside firm evaluate it.

— chicago tribune staff, chicagotribune.com, "Morning Spin: What you need to know about the Illinois tax hike vote," 3 July 2017
Crews evaluated eight people from the bus — which had more than 38 passengers — and four were taken to area hospitals with non life-threatening injuries, according to Carroll.

— carli teproff, miamiherald, "SUV slams into back of stopped bus in Northwest Dade sending 8 to the hospital," 3 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'evaluate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of evaluate

back-formation from evaluation, from French évaluation, from Middle French evaluacion, from esvaluer to evaluate, from e- + value value

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1842

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of evaluate

estimate, appraise, evaluate, value, rate, assess mean to judge something with respect to its worth or significance. estimate implies a judgment, considered or casual, that precedes or takes the place of actual measuring or counting or testing out. estimated the crowd at two hundred appraise commonly implies the fixing by an expert of the monetary worth of a thing, but it may be used of any critical judgment. having their house appraised evaluate suggests an attempt to determine relative or intrinsic worth in terms other than monetary. evaluate a student's work value equals appraise but without implying expertness of judgment. a watercolor valued by the donor at $500 rate adds to estimate the notion of placing a thing according to a scale of values. a highly rated restaurant assess implies a critical appraisal for the purpose of understanding or interpreting, or as a guide in taking action. officials are trying to assess the damage