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

The results of this analysis, as well as previously unseen archive material about the gem's history and theft, form part of the exhibition, according to the museum.

From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026

In 1923, when the Allies discussed Germany’s default on its reparations payments and the Bauhaus held its debut exhibition, Weirich bought a bicycle for his new wife, Marie.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

They will also look at an exhibition that shows the huge scale of the rescue effort.

From BBC ● Oct. 12, 2026

Twenty-five years later, System of a Down is celebrating “Toxicity “ not with an anniversary concert, but with a weeklong exhibition at Beyond the Streets in Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 12, 2026

When Coach Douglas approached him about playing in the exhibition game, he thought he finally had his chance.

From "The Parker Inheritance" by Varian Johnson

It was an abrupt test for a leader succeeding Ann Philbin, who retired in 2024 after transforming the Hammer over a quarter-century through inventive exhibitions and high-profile expansion.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 12, 2026

From then on Gethings started an astronomy club at the former St John Fisher's School in Preston - putting on talks both at his school and others and running public exhibitions.

From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2026

It’s a slim premise, overlapping with exhibitions about her landscapes or New York scenes, but Detroit’s modest exhibit is aided by its airy display.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026

Museums charge visitors for entry to temporary exhibitions.

From Barron's ● Sep. 29, 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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