Examination: meaning, definitions and examples
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examination
[ɪɡˌzæmɪˈneɪʃən ]
Definitions
medical
A detailed inspection or investigation of a body or its parts for signs of disease or injury.
Synonyms
check-up, evaluation, inspection, scan.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
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examination |
Formal assessment or detailed inspection typically in an academic or medical setting.
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inspection |
Careful examination or scrutiny, especially to ensure compliance with rules or standards.
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check-up |
Routine medical appointment to assess overall health, particularly when no specific issues are present.
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evaluation |
Assessment of the value, performance, or quality of something or someone, often in an academic or professional context.
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scan |
Quickly examine or look over something, often using technology or medically-related devices.
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Examples of usage
- The doctor ordered a thorough examination of the patient's lungs.
- The examination revealed a tumor in the brain.
academic
A formal test of a person's knowledge or proficiency in a particular subject.
Synonyms
assessment, evaluation, quiz, test.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
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examination |
Typically used in a formal or academic setting to describe a detailed, formal test of knowledge or skill, often at the end of a course or semester.
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test |
A general term that can describe any structured evaluation of knowledge, skills, or abilities, and can be used in various contexts including education, health, and professional certifications.
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quiz |
Refers to a short, informal test often used in educational contexts to quickly assess students' understanding of recent material. It is generally less formal than an examination or test.
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assessment |
Used broadly to describe the process of evaluating a person, project, or situation. It can be formal or informal and is not limited to academic contexts.
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evaluation |
Involves making judgments about the value, significance, or quality of something, often based on detailed criteria or standards. Commonly used in both academic and professional settings.
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Examples of usage
- She passed her final examination with flying colors.
- The examination will cover all the topics we studied this semester.
legal
The process of asking questions in court to gather evidence or information.
Synonyms
cross-examination, inquiry, interrogation, questioning.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
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examination |
Used in academic or medical settings, or when inspecting something thoroughly.
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interrogation |
Has a negative connotation and is used when someone is being questioned aggressively, often in a legal or law enforcement context.
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questioning |
More neutral and general, used in various settings including casual or formal to gather information by asking questions.
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cross-examination |
Commonly used in legal settings when one party questions a witness who has already testified for the other party.
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inquiry |
Typically used in formal or official contexts to investigate or ask about something in detail.
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Examples of usage
- During cross-examination, the witness was asked to clarify her previous statement.
- The examination of the defendant revealed new information about the case.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The word comes from the Latin 'examinare,' meaning to weigh or test.
- It was first used in English in the 15th century, originally relating to the process of judging or evaluating.
- Over time, the meaning extended from measuring weight to measuring knowledge and skills.
Education
- Standardized examinations have been used since the 19th century to assess student abilities and academic performance.
- Many countries use national exams as a way to certify students’ readiness for higher education or vocational training.
- In addition to written tests, there are also oral examinations and practical examinations in various fields.
Cultural Context
- In different cultures, the approach to examinations can vary widely, with some emphasizing rote memorization and others favoring critical thinking.
- Many educational systems see examinations as a rite of passage, marking significant transitions in a student's life.
- Examinations can be a source of stress for students, leading to movements advocating for reduced pressure and alternative assessment methods.
Psychology
- The experience of taking exams can trigger anxiety and performance stress in many students, sometimes affecting their results.
- Studies show that adequate preparation can reduce anxiety and improve performance on exams.
- Different types of feedback—such as formative and summative—play crucial roles in shaping a student's exam readiness.
Pop Culture
- Examinations are often depicted in films and television shows, frequently symbolizing the challenges of academic life.
- Some characters in popular culture become overnight successes or failures due to their examination results, highlighting societal pressures.
- The phrase 'cramming for an exam' has entered everyday language, reflecting common study habits and the rush before a test.
Translations
Translations of the word "examination" in other languages:
🇵🇹 exame
- exame médico
- avaliação
🇮🇳 परीक्षा
- परीक्षण
- जाँच
🇩🇪 Prüfung
- Untersuchung
- Begutachtung
🇮🇩 ujian
- pemeriksaan
- penilaian
🇺🇦 екзамен
- обстеження
- перевірка
🇵🇱 egzamin
- badanie
- ocena
🇯🇵 試験 (しけん)
- 検査 (けんさ)
- 評価 (ひょうか)
🇫🇷 examen
- évaluation
- contrôle
🇪🇸 examen
- evaluación
- revisión
🇹🇷 sınav
- muayene
- inceleme
🇰🇷 시험
- 검사
- 평가
🇸🇦 امتحان
- فحص
- تقييم
🇨🇿 zkouška
- vyšetření
- hodnocení
🇸🇰 skúška
- vyšetrenie
- hodnotenie
🇨🇳 考试 (kǎoshì)
- 检查 (jiǎnchá)
- 评估 (pínggū)
🇸🇮 izpit
- pregled
- ocena
🇮🇸 próf
- skoðun
- mat
🇰🇿 емтихан
- тексеру
- бағалау
🇬🇪 გამოცდა
- გამოკვლევა
- შეფასება
🇦🇿 imtahan
- müayinə
- qiymətləndirmə
🇲🇽 examen
- evaluación
- revisión