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.
From July 2027, all 18 year-old-men will have to take a medical exam to assess their fitness for possible military service.
From BBC • Apr. 8, 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
More aspiring lawyers are receiving bar exam accommodations, with 14% of California test takers in July getting extra time.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 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
I relax against the exam table’s stiff cushions.
From "The Sea in Winter" by Christine Day
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.
