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

“Called but did not come in for examination as requested.”

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It is my job, after a careful examination of the facts, to call it, on your behalf, in careful, precise language.

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Felicity Kendal and Roger Rees originated the lead roles in Stoppard’s very personal examination of love and marriage, truth and honesty.

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The government suspended final-year school examinations nationwide for two days because of the weather.

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Other countries whose green card holders will undergo this examination include Burma, Chad, Republic of Congo and Libya.

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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