exhibition
Americannoun
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an exhibiting, showing, or presenting to view.
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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.
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an exposition or large fair of extended duration, as a world's fair.
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British. an allowance given to a student in a college, university, or school, usually upon the result of a competitive examination.
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Medicine/Medical Obsolete. administration, as of a remedy.
noun
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a public display of art, products, skills, activities, etc
a judo exhibition
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the act of exhibiting or the state of being exhibited
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to behave so foolishly in public that one excites notice or ridicule
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an allowance or scholarship awarded to a student at a university or school
Other Word Forms
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.
Vocabulary lists containing exhibition
"Women in Aviation," Vocabulary from the informational text
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Dragon Hoops
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This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for August 28–September 3, 2021
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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.
The exhibition, "American Aspirations," is housed in a vaulted red sandstone hall inside the grand Smithsonian Castle, the institute's original premises on the National Mall.
From Barron's • May 29, 2026
An exhibition at the Met highlights the art of Gothic drawings—remarkably meticulous designs for a range of astonishing European structures.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026
“Gothic by Design: The Dawn of Architectural Draftsmanship,” now on view at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is America’s first large-scale exhibition of Gothic architectural drawings.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026
It has not yet been made clear how the avatar would be used, but he said it could be used as part of an exhibition or similar.
From BBC • May 26, 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
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.
