examination

noun

ex·​am·​i·​na·​tion ig-ˌza-mə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce examination (audio)
1
: the act or process of examining : the state of being examined
2
: an exercise designed to examine progress or test qualification or knowledge
3
: a formal interrogation
examinational adjective

Example Sentences

On closer examination, the painting appears to be a fake. The victim's clothes were sent to the lab for examination. The police made a rigorous examination of the evidence at the crime scene. The court ordered that the defendant undergo a psychiatric examination. I have to study for the history examination. procedures that are not allowed during examination of witnesses See More
Recent Examples on the Web Husbands and Wives is another of Allen's greats, being a scabrously funny and tragically insightful examination of married life, single life, and every tricky thing that lies in between. Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 17 Feb. 2023 One is a personal memoir about overcoming adversity, one is a collection of essays that challenge beloved institutions, and one is a historical examination of a sublime act of Black resistance. Suzanne Van Atten, ajc, 27 Jan. 2023 Deeply haunting and full of suspense, Midnight Mass is also a thought-provoking examination of faith and how it can be used to manipulate. Jihane Bousfiha, Men's Health, 20 Jan. 2023 There has to be a full, forensic examination of what just happened. Jason Gay, WSJ, 20 Jan. 2023 First staged in 2011, the play is a satirical examination of the beliefs and practices of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. al, 11 Jan. 2023 The new Star Wars series Andor, a prequel to the 2016 film Rogue One, is a dramatic examination of the early days of the Rebel Alliance. Geek's Guide To The Galaxy, WIRED, 4 Jan. 2023 The story that unfolds is a terrifying and unflinching examination of the human cost of climate change that builds a sense of dread and unease from beginning to end. Alyse Stanley, Washington Post, 28 Dec. 2022 What follows is an examination of exactly how badly Trump harmed Republicans, beginning in this first installment with the big three Senate races in Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Arizona. Dan Mclaughlin, National Review, 19 Dec. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'examination.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near examination

Cite this Entry

“Examination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/examination. Accessed 26 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

examination

noun
ex·​am·​i·​na·​tion ig-ˌzam-ə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce examination (audio)
1
: the act or process of examining : the state of being examined
2
: a test to determine progress, fitness, or knowledge

Medical Definition

examination

noun
ex·​am·​i·​na·​tion ig-ˌzam-ə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce examination (audio)
: the act or process of inspecting or testing for evidence of disease or abnormality see physical examination

Legal Definition

examination

noun
ex·​am·​i·​na·​tion
: the act or process of examining
especially : a formal questioning especially in a court proceeding see also cross-examination, direct examination, recross-examination, redirect examination compare affidavit, deposition

More from Merriam-Webster on examination

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