examine

[ ig-zam-in ]

verb (used with object)

, ex·am·ined, ex·am·in·ing.

1. to inspect or scrutinize carefully:

   to examine a prospective purchase.

   Synonyms: study, explore, probe, search, scrutinize, inspect

2. to observe, test, or investigate (a person's body or any part of it), especially in order to evaluate general health or determine the cause of illness.
3. to inquire into or investigate:

   to examine one's motives.

   Synonyms: quiz

4. to test the knowledge, reactions, or qualifications of (a pupil, candidate, etc.), as by questions or assigning tasks.
5. to subject to legal inquisition; put to question in regard to conduct or to knowledge of facts; interrogate:

   to examine a witness;

   to examine a suspect.

examine

/ ɪɡˈzæmɪn /

verb

1. to look at, inspect, or scrutinize carefully or in detail; investigate
2. education to test the knowledge or skill of (a candidate) in (a subject or activity) by written or oral questions or by practical tests
3. law to interrogate (a witness or accused person) formally on oath
4. med to investigate the state of health of (a patient)

Derived Forms

• exˈaminable, adjective
• exˈamining, adjective
• exˈaminer, noun

Other Words From

• ex·amin·a·ble adjective
• ex·am·i·na·to·ri·al [ig-zam-, uh, -n, uh, -, tawr, -ee-, uh, l, -, tohr, -], adjective
• ex·amin·er noun
• ex·amin·ing·ly adverb
• preex·amine verb (used with object) preexamined preexamining
• preex·amin·er noun
• subex·amin·er noun
• super·ex·amin·er noun
• unex·amin·a·ble adjective
• unex·amined adjective
• unex·amin·ing adjective
• well-ex·amined adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of examine¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English, from Middle French examiner, from Latin exāmināre “to weigh, examine, test,” equivalent to exāmin- (stem of exāmen examen ) + -āre, infinitive ending

Word History and Origins

Origin of examine¹

C14: from Old French examiner, from Latin exāmināre to weigh, from exāmen means of weighing; see examen

Example Sentences

The research team employed a novel statistical approach that is uniquely suited for examining ancient DNA data.

From Science Daily

Researchers examined the specific impact of education on Black Americans with regard to former educational policies and opportunities.

From Science Daily

Roe is planning another paper examining changes to household finances linked to taking anti-obesity medicines -- in terms of both pharmacy and food costs.

From Science Daily

"We examined different sand shapes, finding a sand that would give us hardness, combining elements of clay, silt and particle distribution to make sure that we had a high-binding strength soil," says McKay.

From BBC

She went on to lead a study examining the relationship between climate change and conflict, including civil war, which has identified that South America, Oceania, and Southeast Asia are understudied regions.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• audit
• check
• check out
• consider
• criticize
• delve into
• explore
• inspect
• investigate
• ponder
• pore over
• probe
• read
• research
• review
• scan
• screen
• scrutinize
• study
• survey