review

1 of 2

noun

re·​view ri-ˈvyü 

1

: an act or process of carefully looking at or examining the quality, condition, etc., of something or someone

appeared before the Board for review

a review of the research/evidence

Safety measures had to be taken after a review of the building by inspectors.

a book/policy/ruling under review

a grant application up for review

The records were sent to the doctor for review.

The decision is subject to review.

2

: revision sense 1a

3

: a general survey (as of the events of a period)

a review of the year's major events

a review of the writer's career

4

a

: a formal military inspection

b

: a military ceremony honoring a person or an event

5

: judicial reexamination (as of the proceedings of a lower tribunal by a higher)

6

a

: a critical evaluation (as of a book or play)

Reviews of the movie were good.

b

: a magazine devoted chiefly to reviews and essays

7

a

: a retrospective view or survey (as of one's life)

b(1)

: renewed study of material previously studied

(2)

: an exercise facilitating such study

Our teacher held a review before the test.

8

: revue

review

2 of 2

verb

re·​view ri-ˈvyü 

reviewed; reviewing; reviews

transitive verb

1

also

ˈrē-ˌvyü  : to view or see again

I have passed down this portion of the river in a steamboat, and it was a pleasant sight. … From the steeples of Newburyport you may review this river …

—Henry David Thoreau

2

: to examine or study again

reviewed her notes

especially : to reexamine judicially

The Supreme Court reviewed the lower court's decision.

3

: to look back on : take a retrospective view of

review the past

4

a

: to go over or examine critically or deliberately

reviewed the results of the study

b

: to give a critical evaluation of

review a novel

5

: to hold a review of

review troops

intransitive verb

1

: to study material again : make a review

review for a test

2

: to write reviews

reviewable

ri-ˈvyü-ə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms of review

Noun

• retrospect
• retrospection
• reconsideration

Verb

• revisit
• reconsider

Examples of review in a Sentence

Noun

Changes to the building had to be made after the review by the safety inspectors.

After hours of review, the committee made its decision.

The medical records were sent to the doctor for review.

I read the book reviews in the newspaper.

The educational software was sent to teachers for review.

Verb

Scientists are reviewing the results of the study.

I need time to review the situation.

The ruling will be reviewed by the Supreme Court.

The committee reviewed the applications.

The television show will review last year's major events.

She reviewed her notes for the speech.

The television show will review last year's major events.

The biography reviewed her accomplishments.

Critics have not yet reviewed the movie.

The book was reviewed in this magazine.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Sign up for The Selection newsletter for hands-on product reviews, expert shopping tips and a look at the best deals and sales each week. — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 3 July 2026

Importantly, too, many other similar plays have happened throughout the tournament, with no reviews or red cards given. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026

Verb

But the celebration was put on hold as officials reviewed the video, and the goal was nullified. — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 28 June 2026

Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication. — Data Skrive, New York Times, 5 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English reveue, from Middle French, from feminine past participle of revoir to see again, reexamine, from Old French reveoir, from re- + veoir, veeir to see — more at view

Verb

in sense 1 of transitive verb, from re- + view; in other senses, from review entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4a

Verb

1573, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Phrases Containing review

• judicial review
• on review of
• peer review
• pre-review
• rave review
• re-review
• review bomb
• review-bomber
• review bombing
• review copy
• salary/pay review
• upon further review of
• utilization review

Rhymes for review

• accrue
• ado
• ainu
• aircrew
• airscrew
• anew
• askew
• baboo
• babu
• bamboo
• beaucoup
• bijou

Kids Definition

review

1 of 2 noun

re·​view ri-ˈvyü 

1

: a formal inspection of troops by officers

2

: a general survey

3

: an act of looking something over especially for flaws

4

a

: a discussion by a critic of the quality of something (as a book or play)

b

: a magazine filled mostly with reviews and essays

5

a

: a look at past events

b

: a fresh study of material studied before

6

: revue

review

2 of 2 verb

1

: to look at a thing again

2

: to study or examine again

review a lesson

3

: to make a formal inspection of (as troops)

4

: to discuss the quality of (as a book or play)

5

: to look back on

review one's accomplishments

reviewer noun

Legal Definition

review

1 of 2 noun

re·​view ri-ˈvyü 

: a judicial reexamination and reconsideration of the legality or constitutionality of something (as the proceedings of a lower tribunal or a legislative enactment or governmental action) see also judicial review

review

2 of 2 transitive verb

: to reexamine judicially

reviewability

-ˌvyü-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē

noun

reviewable

ri-ˈvyü-ə-bəl 

adjective