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

Etymology

Origin of exhibition

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

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

The overlooked museum, however, has been refreshed with an enchanting new exhibition.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 16, 2026

The Fitzwilliam Museum’s moving “War Craft” exhibition memorializes a unique popular art, rough-hewn from found objects and made by men killing time in the field or, afterward, as souvenirs of survival.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026

There was an exhibition, in 2005, staged at the most neutral territory imaginable—Switzerland.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026

Earlier this year, East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice held an exhibition at Art Space Huntington Park called “We Are Water” to uplift local Indigenous artists.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026

"Though your exhibition was quite enchanting and clever, I'm concerned. And I've spoken with the Beauty Minister."

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton

When the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art officially opens its doors to the public Sept. 22, guests will be presented with more than 1,200 objects in nearly 20 exhibitions installed across more than 30 galleries.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 30, 2026

The canvas has been in myriad exhibitions of Freud’s works, with critic Martin Gayford writing that the portrait “outdoes Courbet’s ‘Bathers’ and similar performances from the past in sheer monumentality of physical presence.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 24, 2026

Two exhibitions are due to be held next year to mark what would have been David Hockney's 90th birthday.

From BBC ● Jun. 21, 2026

Troop bands playing music onstage, troops putting on military combatives exhibitions in the octagon, troops sitting, uniformed and visible, beneath the Claw to watch the spectacle in person.

From Slate ● Jun. 16, 2026

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

From "Not Nothing" by Gayle Forman