evaluation
Americannoun
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an act or instance of evaluating or appraising.
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(especially in medicine) a diagnosis or diagnostic study of a physical or mental condition.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of evaluation
From the French word évaluation, dating back to 1745–55. See e- 1, valuation
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Explanation
An evaluation is an appraisal of something to determine its worth or fitness. For example, before you start an exercise program, get a medical evaluation, to make sure you're able to handle the activity. At the heart of the noun evaluation is the root word value, which means "worth." So an evaluation is an examination to find the worth of something. We do this every day — maybe making an evaluation of the prices in a store to decide whether or not to shop there. We might get an appraisal of our property, which is an evaluation to determine its worth in preparation for taking out a mortgage. Evaluation is vital in planning our lives.
Vocabulary lists containing evaluation
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Florida's B.E.S.T. Common Suffixes: -ion, -tion, -ation
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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.
"The damage has been assessed at several levels, but a more detailed specialised evaluation is still underway," Ali Omid Ali, a restoration specialist and head of the technical engineering department at Golestan Palace, told AFP.
From Barron's • May 10, 2026
The shortstop is scheduled to play two minor league rehabilitation games Oklahoma City Friday and Saturday, then return to Los Angeles for evaluation, with the hope he’ll be cleared for activation Monday.
From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2026
The agency first approved mifepristone in 2000, after evaluation of rigorous studies demonstrating its effectiveness and safety.
From Slate • May 4, 2026
At Paderborn University, doctoral and postdoctoral researchers spent about ten years working on optical measurements, data analysis, and evaluation.
From Science Daily • Apr. 30, 2026
“That is quite an accurate evaluation of the situation,” said the voice coldly.
From "The Phantom Tollbooth" by Norton Juster
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.
