examine

verb

ex·​am·​ine ig-ˈza-mən 

examined; examining ig-ˈza-mə-niŋ 

-ˈzam-niŋ

transitive verb

1

a

: to inspect closely

b

: to test the condition of

examining a patient

c

: to inquire into carefully : investigate

examining the accounts

2

a

: to interrogate closely

examine a prisoner

b

: to test by questioning in order to determine progress, fitness, or knowledge

examine a witness

intransitive verb

: to make or give an examination

examinable

ig-ˈza-mə-nə-bəl 

adjective

examiner

ig-ˈza-mə-nər 

-ˈzam-nər

noun

Synonyms of examine

• interrogate
• question

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

And nearly every business, supply chain expert, and economist who examined the data concluded that the costs fell almost entirely on American firms and consumers, not on foreign exporters. —Jay Caruso, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026

Several news outlets have reported that the Justice Department is examining possible federal charges against officials within Cuba’s government, a move that could prompt a change in the island’s government. —Ana Ceballos follow, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026

In 2016, researchers began to suspect the existence of a previously unknown croc species while examining archival remains from dozens of specimens at a museum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital city. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 12 Mar. 2026

The agreement, examined by The Associated Press, was initially five years and then was extended another five in 2021, ending July 1. —ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026

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

Phrases Containing examine

• re-examine

Rhymes for examine

• backgammon
• examen
• glutamine
• famine
• gammon
• mammon
• reexamine

Kids Definition

examine

verb

ex·​am·​ine ig-ˈzam-ən 

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 

examined; examining -(ə-)niŋ 

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