exhibit

1 of 2

verb

ex·​hib·​it ig-ˈzi-bət How to pronounce exhibit (audio)
exhibited; exhibiting; exhibits

transitive verb

1
: to submit (something, such as a document) to a court or officer in course of proceedings
also : to present or offer officially or in legal form
2
: to present to view: such as
a
: to show or display outwardly especially by visible signs or actions
exhibited no fear
b
: to have as a readily discernible quality or feature
in all cultures we know, men exhibit an aesthetic senseH. J. Muller
c
: to show publicly especially for purposes of competition or demonstration
exhibit a collection of artifacts

intransitive verb

: to display something for public inspection
exhibitive adjective
exhibitor noun
exhibitory adjective

exhibit

2 of 2

noun

1
: a document or material object produced and identified in court or before an examiner for use as evidence
2
: something exhibited
3
: an act or instance of exhibiting : exhibition
Choose the Right Synonym for exhibit

show, exhibit, display, expose, parade, flaunt mean to present so as to invite notice or attention.

show implies no more than enabling another to see or examine.

showed her snapshots to the whole group

exhibit stresses putting forward prominently or openly.

exhibit paintings at a gallery

display emphasizes putting in a position where others may see to advantage.

display sale items

expose suggests bringing forth from concealment and displaying.

sought to expose the hypocrisy of the town fathers

parade implies an ostentatious or arrogant displaying.

parading their piety for all to see

flaunt suggests a shameless, boastful, often offensive parading.

nouveaux riches flaunting their wealth

Examples of exhibit in a Sentence

Verb They will be exhibiting a collection of paintings. He proudly exhibited his trophy. He first exhibited an interest in music when he was very young. The patient exhibited signs of the disease. Noun The show includes dozens of interesting exhibits. Have you seen the new photography exhibit? introduced the weapons into evidence as exhibits A and B See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Callahan’s baritone vocals exhibit a pleasant balance of low-mid richness and high-mid crispness, while the acoustic strums and higher-register percussive hits sound bright and natural. Joe Hindy, PCMAG, 18 Sep. 2023 During his lifetime the artist attained global fame and influence, despite his humble origins, and his paintings were exhibited in museums globally, while his imposing bronze sculptures can be found in the parks and avenues of many European and Latin American capitals. Manuel Rueda The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2023 Diaz/Courtesy of SmokyMountains.com Week of Sept. 25 By Sept. 25, pockets of New England will be exhibiting rich fall colors. Emma Glassman-Hughes, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Sep. 2023 His work, like that of others before him, exhibits how the medium lends itself to confessional, reflective writing and how spaces in between panels offer inventive opportunities to find clarity about the trickier questions of life. Kay Sohini, Washington Post, 15 Sep. 2023 She’s also exhibited some taste in her choice of opening acts. Vulture, 13 Sep. 2023 Share [Findings] Psychopaths recommend harsher punishments for homicides, whether accidental or motivated by profit, but exhibit relatively low concern about killing in general. Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 13 Sep. 2023 Officers approached the vehicle, smelled the odor of alcohol and observed that the driver, a Shaker Heights man, 49, was exhibiting several cues of impairment. cleveland, 8 Sep. 2023 Fallon is accused of being drunk at work and exhibiting erratic behavior. Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2023
Noun
The exhibit, which runs until Aug. 4, 2024, includes about 400 objects — costumes, props, handwritten scripts, photographs and correspondence. Mary Carole McCauley, Baltimore Sun, 18 Sep. 2023 Senators who are lawyers, from both parties, fielded colleagues’ questions about the exhibits informally, Alvarado recounted. Robert T. Garrett, Dallas News, 16 Sep. 2023 An exhibit at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute features their stories. Char Adams, NBC News, 15 Sep. 2023 Looking at the six cities, there is a set of museums, all of which have exhibits on New Philadelphia. Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 14 Sep. 2023 There were some small science exhibits on a mezzanine, but the venue wasn’t trying to be a science museum. Matthew Hutson, The New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2023 On Wednesday, Emerson College hosts a free community reception to celebrate the final days of this impressive exhibit of photographs, videos, artifacts, and memorabilia. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Sep. 2023 What: Concerts, midway rides, food vendors, livestock exhibits, choral festival, photography, flower show, scarecrow competition and more. Mary Colurso | McOlurso@al.com, al, 13 Sep. 2023 Check Out the Museums Step back in time to Frisco's past at the Frisco Heritage Museum, where exhibits include pioneer items such as a log cabin, schoolhouse, old jail, a steam locomotive and caboose, Gaby's Blacksmith Shop, the Frisco Railroad Depot, historic homes, and even a windmill. Amanda Ogle, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'exhibit.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Latin exhibitus, past participle of exhibēre, from ex- + habēre to have, hold — more at give

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1626, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of exhibit was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near exhibit

Cite this Entry

“Exhibit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exhibit. Accessed 23 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

exhibit

1 of 2 verb
ex·​hib·​it ig-ˈzib-ət How to pronounce exhibit (audio)
1
: to show by outward signs : reveal
exhibit an interest in music
2
: to put on display
exhibit a collection of paintings
exhibitor noun

exhibit

2 of 2 noun
1
: an article or a collection shown in an exhibition
2
: an article presented as evidence in a court of law

Legal Definition

exhibit

1 of 2 transitive verb
ex·​hib·​it
1
: to submit (as a document) to a court or officer in the course of proceedings
also : to present or offer officially or in legal form
2
: to present to view or display outwardly
exhibitor noun

exhibit

2 of 2 noun
1
a
: a document or object produced and identified in court as evidence
b
: a document labeled with an identifying mark (as a number or letter) and appended to a writing (as a brief) to which it is relevant
2
: something exhibited
3
: an act or instance of exhibiting

More from Merriam-Webster on exhibit

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