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
• 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

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

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