examination

[ ig-zam-uh-ney-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of examining; inspection; inquiry; investigation.

   Synonyms: observation

2. the state of being examined.
3. the act or process of testing pupils, candidates, etc., as by questions.
4. the test itself; the list of questions asked.
5. the answers, statements, etc., made by one examined.
6. Law. formal interrogation.

examination

/ ɪɡˌzæmɪˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of examining or state of being examined
2. education
   1. written exercises, oral questions, or practical tasks, set to test a candidate's knowledge and skill
   2. ( as modifier )

      an examination paper

3. med
   1. physical inspection of a patient or parts of his body, in order to verify health or diagnose disease
   2. laboratory study of secretory or excretory products, tissue samples, etc, esp in order to diagnose disease
4. law the formal interrogation of a person on oath, esp of an accused or a witness

Derived Forms

• exˌamiˈnational, adjective

Other Words From

• ex·ami·nation·al adjective
• preex·ami·nation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of examination¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English examinacioun, from Middle French, Old French examinacion, examination, “interrogation,” from Latin exāminātiōn- (stem of exāminātiō ). See examine, -ation

Synonym Study

Examination, inspection, scrutiny refer to a looking at something. An examination usually means a careful noting of details: A thorough examination of the plumbing revealed a defective pipe. An inspection is a formal and official examination: an inspection of records, a military inspection. Scrutiny implies a critical and minutely detailed examination: The papers seemed to be in good order, but they would not stand close scrutiny. investigation.

Example Sentences

He did not prosper in Britain’s selective education system of the time, which streamed children’s academic futures via an examination at age 11.

From New York Times

The X-ray microscopic analysis was then supplemented by further spectroscopic and microscopic examinations.

From Science Daily

Avon and Somerset Police said the charge comes after they began reviewing the case in 2023, prompting further forensic examination of some items.

From BBC

They are not authorised to prescribe, but they can order some scans, take medical histories and conduct physical examinations.

From BBC

A woman whose body was found in a car boot died of strangulation, a post-mortem examination has found.

From BBC

Related Words

• audit
• checking
• checkup
• cross-examination
• diagnosis
• experiment
• exploration
• inquiry
• inspection
• interrogation
• investigation
• observation
• probe
• questioning
• questionnaire
• raid
• research
• review
• scan
• scrutiny