exam
1 Americannoun
abbreviation
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examination.
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examined.
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examinee.
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examiner.
noun
Etymology
Origin of exam
First recorded in 1875–80; short form
Explanation
An exam is a test. Many high school and college classes have a midterm exam and a final exam. The word exam is short for examination, from 19th century student slang. An exam usually takes place in a class and consists of questions that test a student's knowledge. Sometimes the word describes a medical test of some kind, like an eye exam, a dental exam, or a physical exam. Rather than testing knowledge or skill, these exams are procedures meant to diagnose or rule out illnesses.
Vocabulary lists containing exam
Education and Academics, List 2
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Unit 18, Lesson 4
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Looking like a mash-up between a religious sermon and an eye exam, those bottles now sit in the aisles of Walmart, Target, Costco and Whole Foods, selling roughly one unit every two seconds.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026
More aspiring young lawyers are asking for—and getting—extra time to finish the bar exam, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026
The group brings an optometrist to campus, meaning kids who need an eye exam can get one the same day and go home having gotten a prescription and ordered glasses.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026
The reimbursement rate for a comprehensive eye exam is about $47, said Kristine Shultz, association executive director.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026
But I don’t wear T-shirts on exam days.
From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
