examination

[ig-zam-uh-ney-shuhn]

noun

1. the act of examining; inspection; inquiry; investigation.

   Synonyms: observation

2. the state of being examined.

3. the act or process of testing pupils, candidates, etc., as by questions.

4. the test itself; the list of questions asked.

5. the answers, statements, etc., made by one examined.

6. Law.,  formal interrogation.

examination

/ ɪɡˌzæmɪˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of examining or state of being examined

2. education

   1. written exercises, oral questions, or practical tasks, set to test a candidate's knowledge and skill

   2. ( as modifier )

      an examination paper

3. med

   1. physical inspection of a patient or parts of his body, in order to verify health or diagnose disease

   2. laboratory study of secretory or excretory products, tissue samples, etc, esp in order to diagnose disease

4. law the formal interrogation of a person on oath, esp of an accused or a witness

Other Word Forms

• examinational adjective
• preexamination noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of examination¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English examinacioun, from Middle French, Old French examinacion, examination, “interrogation,” from Latin exāminātiōn- (stem of exāminātiō ). See examine, -ation

Synonym Study

Examination, inspection, scrutiny refer to a looking at something. An examination usually means a careful noting of details: A thorough examination of the plumbing revealed a defective pipe. An inspection is a formal and official examination: an inspection of records, a military inspection. Scrutiny implies a critical and minutely detailed examination: The papers seemed to be in good order, but they would not stand close scrutiny. See also investigation.

Example Sentences

A post-mortem examination found the child died from the "inhalation of the products of combustion", the court heard.

From BBC

In 1979, Cooper wrote Class: A View from Middle England: a cheerful examination of the intricacies of the system that both holds the country together, and simultaneously divides it.

From BBC

Environmental advocates say the extent of the fallout may not be known until there is a larger examination of air quality monitors.

From Los Angeles Times

BBC Scotland understands a post mortem examination has yet to take place as not enough of Mr Wright's body has been found.

From BBC

Twenty one weeks on from her death and the family have not got any answers as to the cause of Zipporah's death, after an inconclusive post-mortem examination.

From BBC

Related Words

• audit 
• checking www.thesaurus.com
• checkup 
• cross-examination www.thesaurus.com
• diagnosis 
• experiment 
• exploration 
• inquiry 
• inspection 
• interrogation 
• investigation 
• observation 
• probe 
• questioning 
• questionnaire 
• raid 
• research 
• review 
• scan 
• scrutiny