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
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
The museum's nave, reconfigured to exhibit furniture that speaks to the themes of intimacy. Amy Verner, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2024 The following day, another died after exhibiting strange behavior. Angel Saunders, People.com, 19 Oct. 2024
Noun
Remarkably these images which fill the walls of the largest room in the Metzger exhibit, very much recall his earliest drawings. Tom Teicholz, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024 Many of Cher’s most memorable looks, also created by Bob Mackie, are currently on display in an exhibit at the Hall of Fame—making Zendaya’s outfit selection all the more poignant. Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 20 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for exhibit 

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 3 Nov. 2024.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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