examine

verb

ex·​am·​ine ig-ˈza-mən How to pronounce examine (audio)
examined; examining ig-ˈza-mə-niŋ How to pronounce examine (audio)
-ˈzam-niŋ

transitive verb

1
a
: to inspect closely
b
: to test the condition of
c
: to inquire into carefully : investigate
2
a
: to interrogate closely
examine a prisoner
b
: to test by questioning in order to determine progress, fitness, or knowledge

intransitive verb

: to make or give an examination
examinable adjective
examiner
ig-ˈza-mə-nər How to pronounce examine (audio)
-ˈzam-nər
noun
Choose the Right Synonym for examine

scrutinize, scan, inspect, examine mean to look at or over.

scrutinize stresses close attention to minute detail.

scrutinized the hospital bill

scan implies a surveying from point to point often suggesting a cursory overall observation.

scanned the wine list

inspect implies scrutinizing for errors or defects.

inspected my credentials

examine suggests a scrutiny in order to determine the nature, condition, or quality of a thing.

examined the specimens

Examples of examine in a Sentence

An accountant has been hired to examine the company's books. The police examined the evidence carefully. You should have your eyes examined. He was examined by several doctors, who found nothing wrong with him.
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.
Auditors examined only 35 of the 139 no-bid contracts over a year and a half but noted that ongoing issues with SANDAG’s record-keeping software prevented them from verifying exactly how many no-bid contracts the agency has. Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2025 The other top challenge for companies is light, which includes examining the lights' color-rendering index and prioritizing low flickering and warm colors. ArsTechnica, 22 May 2025 Also, take some time to examine the perimeter of your yard to ensure any gates and fences are secure and don’t have any gaps through which your pup can easily escape. Cody Godwin, USA Today, 22 May 2025 The admonition from the senator, Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi, came as President Trump was preparing to release a report on Thursday from a commission, led by Mr. Kennedy and named for his movement, to examine the causes of childhood chronic disease. Sheryl Gay Stolberg, New York Times, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for examine

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French examiner, from Latin examinare, from examen

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Examine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/examine. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

examine

verb
ex·​am·​ine ig-ˈzam-ən How to pronounce examine (audio)
examined; examining
1
: to look at or check carefully
examine a company's books
have your eyes examined
2
: to question closely
examine a witness
examiner noun

Medical Definition

examine

verb
ex·​am·​ine ig-ˈzam-ən How to pronounce examine (audio)
examined; examining -(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce examine (audio)

transitive verb

: to inspect or test for evidence of disease or abnormality
the doctor examined the young men and found them in perfect health

intransitive verb

: to make or give an examination
the doctor will examine at the infirmary

Legal Definition

examine

transitive verb
ex·​am·​ine
examined; examining
1
: to investigate or inspect closely
examine the title
compare audit
2
: to question closely especially in a court proceeding compare depose

More from Merriam-Webster on examine

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