Definition

1. Noun:
   • A formal test of knowledge or ability: The act of assessing what a person knows or can do, typically through written or oral questions.
   • A detailed inspection or investigation: The act of looking at or considering something carefully and in detail to understand it or find problems.
   • A formal questioning: A systematic process of asking questions, especially in a legal or official context.

Usage

• As a subject of a sentence: "The final examination will cover all material from the semester."
• As an object of a verb: "The doctor performed a thorough physical examination."
• With prepositions: "He is under examination by the committee." / "She passed with flying colors in her oral examination."

Examples

• Academic context:
  • All students must sit for the end-of-year examination.
  • The examination consisted of three essay questions and fifty multiple-choice items.
• Medical/Inspection context:
  • During the routine examination, the mechanic found a crack in the engine block.
  • A close examination of the evidence revealed new clues.
• Legal/Official context:
  • The witness was called for examination by the prosecution.

Advanced Usage

• "Cross-examination": The questioning of a witness by the opposing party in a court of law to test the truth of their earlier testimony.
  • The defense attorney's cross-examination was very aggressive.
• "To be under examination": To be the subject of scrutiny or investigation.
  • The company's financial practices are under examination by regulators.

Variants and Related Words

• Examine (verb): To inspect or scrutinize carefully.
  • The detective will examine the scene for fingerprints.
• Examiner (noun): A person who administers or grades a test, or who conducts an inspection.
  • The examiner marked the papers fairly.
• Exam (noun): A common, informal shortening of "examination," almost exclusively used for academic or professional tests.
  • I have a history exam tomorrow.

Synonyms

• Test: A procedure intended to establish the quality, performance, or reliability of something.
• Inspection: A careful examination or scrutiny.
• Investigation: A formal inquiry or systematic study.
• Assessment: The evaluation or estimation of the nature, quality, or ability of someone or something.

Related Phrases

• To pass an examination: To succeed in a test.
  • She studied hard to pass her examination.
• To fail an examination: To be unsuccessful in a test.
  • He was disappointed to fail the examination.
• To sit for/take an examination: To participate in a test.
  • Candidates will take the examination next week.

Idioms

• A searching examination: A very thorough and intense inquiry or inspection.
  • The documentary is a searching examination of the country's political system.

Noun

1. the act of giving students or candidates a test (as by questions) to determine what they know or have learned
2. a detailed inspection of your conscience (as done daily by Jesuits)
3. formal systematic questioning
4. a set of questions or exercises evaluating skill or knowledge
   • when the test was stolen the professor had to make a new set of questions
5. the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)