exhibition

American  

[ek-suh-bish-uhn] / ˌɛk səˈbɪʃ ən /

noun

• exhibitions
  plural

1. an exhibiting, showing, or presenting to view.

2. a public display, as of the work of artists or artisans, the products of farms or factories, the skills of performers, or objects of general interest.

3. an exposition or large fair of extended duration, as a world's fair.

4. British. an allowance given to a student in a college, university, or school, usually upon the result of a competitive examination.

5. Medicine/Medical Obsolete. administration, as of a remedy.

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exhibition British  

/ ˌɛksɪˈbɪʃən /

noun

1. a public display of art, products, skills, activities, etc

   a judo exhibition

2. the act of exhibiting or the state of being exhibited

3. to behave so foolishly in public that one excites notice or ridicule

4. an allowance or scholarship awarded to a student at a university or school

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exhibition Idioms  

1. see make an exhibition of oneself.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonexhibition
  noun
• preexhibition
  noun
• reexhibition
  noun
• self-exhibition
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• exhibitions
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of exhibition

1275–1325; Middle English exhibicion < Late Latin exhibitiōn- (stem of exhibitiō ) a presenting. See exhibit, -ion

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Explanation

An exhibition is a collection of items for public display, like an exhibition of children’s artwork, antique vases, or memorabilia from a science fiction movie series. In the 19th century, exhibition was used to refer to a collection of objects, while exhibit designated a single item in an exhibition. Nowadays, exhibition and exhibit are often used interchangeably. Exhibition comes from the Latin ex-, meaning "out," and habere, meaning "hold" — as objects in an exhibition are "held out," or shown, to the public. The h in "hold out" might help you remember to include the h when spelling exhibition.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

exhibition exhibitions

“It will be exhibited at the Louvre when we have found the ideal location to create a dedicated, secure exhibition space,” the museum said, “but for now, not all conditions are in place.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026

The third edition of the lucrative exhibition, which was won by Italy's Jannik Sinner last year, has been postponed until 27-30 December.

From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026

The competition's annual exhibition, external opens at the Natural History Museum on Friday 16 October 2026.

From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2026

For Beyond the Streets founder Roger Gastman, that staying power is exactly what the exhibition is meant to capture.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 12, 2026

Fadi followed Ms. Bethune and the others through the cavernous space until they reached the exhibition hall.

From "Shooting Kabul" by N. H. Senzai

Those who are not there to research can still visit a foyer space which hosts free temporary exhibitions.

From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2026

Her instantly recognizable flower paintings, desert landscapes, bleached bones and abstractions have won her dozens of museum retrospectives or themed solo exhibitions.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026

Museums charge visitors for entry to temporary exhibitions.

From Barron's ● Sep. 29, 2026

The story that the Viking age was a pivotal moment in the birth of nations and culture is seen in various forms across all three exhibitions.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 23, 2026

At the fair, Mim bought a special pass allowing them access to all the rides and exhibitions.

From "Not Nothing" by Gayle Forman

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