examination

noun

ex·​am·​i·​na·​tion ig-ˌza-mə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce examination (audio)
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 adjective

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Imaging tools come into play The team then used imaging tools, such as hospital and micro-CT scans, thin sections, X-ray spectroscopy, clay analyses, and examination of the discovery site. Abhishek Bhardwaj, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025 Investigators have removed a haul of items from the camps for forensic examination as part of ongoing enquiries to identify anyone who might have assisted Phillips during his time on the run. Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025 The interruptions during the examination proved costly, as the NFL fined the Giants $200,000, Daboll $100,000, and Skattebo $15,000 for violating the league’s concussion protocol, the NFL and NFLPA announced in a joint statement Friday. Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2025 Fake sales accounts, other Wells Fargo scandals From 2013 to 2016, the comptroller’s office said that Russ Anderson failed to provide information or provided false, incomplete or misleading information during compliance examinations in 2015. Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for examination

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of examination was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Examination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/examination. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

examination

noun
ex·​am·​i·​na·​tion ig-ˌzam-ə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce examination (audio)
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 How to pronounce examination (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on examination

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