exam

¹ American

[ig-zam] / ɪgˈzæm /

noun

Informal.

an examination, as in school.

exam. ² American

abbreviation

examination.
examined.
examinee.
examiner.

exam British

/ ɪɡˈzæm /

noun

short for examination

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of exam

First recorded in 1875–80; short form

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.

Out-of-pocket expenses for things like exam fees were also to be covered, while progression through the five resident doctors pay bands was to be speeded up.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

Cap bearing the badge of the Indian Police Service, the highest-trained level of police officers who must pass the Indian civil service exam.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

Two decades later, I sat in an exam room with a new gynecologist, answering routine questions: Age of first period.

From Slate • Mar. 29, 2026

Across the country, the percentage of students passing the first part of their licensure exam has fallen to 89% from 97% in 2020.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

Baba delivered a tailor-made sundari desk and chair to the school the day before the exam.

From "Tiger Boy" by Mitali Perkins

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023