examination

Everyday

1. (formal) An examination is a test of what you know or can do, often written; usually called an exam. tree →
2. An examination is a careful look at something to study or check it. tree →
3. A medical examination is when a doctor checks your body. tree →

In the lessons

At school it is the formal word for "exam": end-of-year examinations. In science, close examination of a leaf or rock. In health, a doctor's or dentist's examination. Phrases: sit an examination, pass/fail an examination, on examination, under examination.

Examples

• Pupils sit their examinations in the hall. tree →
• The doctor gave him a full examination. tree →
• On examination, the rock had tiny crystals. tree →
• She passed her music examination. tree →
• The dentist's examination took five minutes. tree →
• The detective made a careful examination of the footprints. tree →
• The examination lasts two hours. tree →
• Our examination of the pond water showed tiny creatures. tree →
• He was studying for an examination for an appointment. tree →

Note

Starts with a vowel: "an examination". Short form: exam. Verb: examine. Person: examiner (who marks) / examinee (who takes). In problems, examination marks are often given out of a total, as fractions or percentages.