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 review examined "exception" appointments, whereby the normal civil service recruitment rules are bypassed.

From BBC

For the study, Hewlett and colleagues use observational and ethnographic data to examine nine different modes of cultural transmission, meaning from whom and how children learn, in hunter-gatherer societies.

From Science Daily

Researchers examined home sales data from the Richmond area on the outskirts of Sydney, along with 2019 and 2023 flood maps for the region.

From Science Daily

The researchers examined the thermal performance of a TCM reactor powered by strontium chloride, which gives off heat as it reacts with water vapor in the air.

From Science Daily

In its letter to Cedars-Sinai, the federal office said that it examined records of 38 patients who had suffered postpartum hemorrhaging.

From Los Angeles Times

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