exhibit

American  

[ig-zib-it] / ɪgˈzɪb ɪt /

verb (used with object)

1. to offer or expose to view; present for inspection.

   to exhibit the latest models of cars.

   Synonyms:

   demonstrate, show

2. to manifest or display.

   to exhibit anger; to exhibit interest.

   Synonyms:

   reveal, show, betray, disclose, evince

   Antonyms:

   conceal

3. to place on show.

   to exhibit paintings.

4. to make manifest; explain.

5. Law. to submit (a document, object, etc.) in evidence in a court of law.

6. Medicine/Medical Obsolete. to administer (something) as a remedy.

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verb (used without object)

1. to make or give an exhibition; present something to public view.

noun

1. an act or instance of exhibiting; exhibition.

   Synonyms:

   display, show, showing

2. something that is exhibited.

3. an object or a collection of objects shown in an exhibition, fair, etc.

   Synonyms:

   display

4. Law. a document or object exhibited in court and referred to and identified in written evidence.

exhibit British  

/ ɪɡˈzɪbɪt /

verb

1. (also intr) to display (something) to the public for interest or instruction

   this artist exhibits all over the world

2. to manifest; display; show

   the child exhibited signs of distress

3. law to produce (a document or object) in court to serve as evidence

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noun

1. an object or collection exhibited to the public

2. law a document or object produced in court and referred to or identified by a witness in giving evidence

Related Words

See display. See evidence.

Other Word Forms

• exhibitable adjective
• exhibitant noun
• exhibiter noun
• exhibitor noun
• exhibitory adjective
• preexhibit noun
• reexhibit verb (used with object)
• self-exhibited adjective
• unexhibitable adjective
• unexhibited adjective
• well-exhibited adjective

Etymology

Origin of exhibit

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English exhibiten “to show,” from Latin exhibitus, past participle of exhibēre, from ex- ex- ¹ + -hibēre (combining form of habēre “to have”); cf. habit ¹

Explanation

An exhibit is an item that is shown off for the public, such as a painting on display at a gallery or a historical document shown under glass at a museum. The main thing to remember about an exhibit is that it refers to something presented formally and in a public setting. For example, if you put an action figure on a side table in your apartment and your friends come by and notice it, well, it’s just an action figure on a side table. Put that same action figure on a pedestal in a fancy gallery, arrange it just so, and voilà! It’s an exhibit. People may even look it over and discuss its meaning in hushed tones. Students of law — or people who watch a lot of TV — will know that when used in a legal context, the word exhibit can also refer to an item presented as evidence in a legal court.

Example Sentences

Once that's finished, Dickson is hoping to look for venues in the south to exhibit the portrait.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

The Fisher Museum had to meet specific conditions to accommodate the documents, said Jessie Kratz, a historian at the National Archives and curator of the exhibit.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

Their donation supports both the event and a new fashion exhibit opening to the public in May.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

These organizations have relied on his guidance for fossil interpretation and exhibit development.

From Science Daily • Apr. 15, 2026

They saw the Pullman Company’s “Ideal of Industry” exhibit, with its detailed model of Pullman’s company town, which the company extolled as a workers’ paradise.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

Related Words

• advertise
• demonstrate
• display
• evince
• express
• feature
• flaunt
• illustrate
• indicate
• manifest
• reveal
• show