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

A forensic post-mortem examination, which took place at Leicester Royal Infirmary on 15 November, established that Ms Brella had been murdered, Northamptonshire Police said.

From BBC

They advocate a close examination of local conditions and a more nature-focussed approach to the design of public spaces.

From Science Daily

These were all children who had received complete intravenous and then oral treatment for severe malaria, and all had cleared the parasite by microscopic examination.

From Science Daily

“We look forward to a vigorous examination of Senator Alvarado-Gil’s behavior and state of mind and to get this matter to trial as expeditiously as possible.”

From Los Angeles Times

A post-mortem examination found she died of injuries from abuse but Roberson says his daughter fell out of her bed and when he returned hours later she was not breathing.

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