Examination: meaning, definitions and examples

Formal assessment or detailed inspection typically in an academic or medical setting.

• The final examination in chemistry is next week.
• A thorough examination of the patient revealed no serious issues.

Careful examination or scrutiny, especially to ensure compliance with rules or standards.

• The safety inspection found several violations in the factory.
• Regular home inspections are crucial for maintenance.

Routine medical appointment to assess overall health, particularly when no specific issues are present.

• I have an annual check-up scheduled with my doctor.
• The therapist recommended a mental health check-up every few months.

Assessment of the value, performance, or quality of something or someone, often in an academic or professional context.

• Our manager will conduct an evaluation of the team's progress.
• The teacher's evaluation of the essay was highly detailed.

Quickly examine or look over something, often using technology or medically-related devices.

• The doctor performed an MRI scan to check for brain abnormalities.
• She decided to scan the document for errors before submitting it.

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.

• She spent all night studying for her final examination.
• The examination will cover all chapters studied this semester.

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.

• The math test was challenging but fair.
• The doctor ordered a blood test to determine the cause of the symptoms.

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.

• We have a quiz every Friday to review the week's lessons.
• She scored the highest on the history quiz.

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.

• The teacher's assessment of the student's performance was very thorough.
• The risk assessment helped identify potential hazards.

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.

• The evaluation of the project highlighted several areas for improvement.
• After a careful evaluation, the committee agreed to fund the new initiative.

Used in academic or medical settings, or when inspecting something thoroughly.

• He passed his final examination with flying colors
• The doctor's examination revealed a broken bone

Has a negative connotation and is used when someone is being questioned aggressively, often in a legal or law enforcement context.

• The suspect underwent hours of intense interrogation by the police
• He felt like he was in an interrogation room being questioned so fiercely

More neutral and general, used in various settings including casual or formal to gather information by asking questions.

• The teacher's questioning helped the students understand the topic better
• The detective's questioning led to valuable clues in the case

Commonly used in legal settings when one party questions a witness who has already testified for the other party.

• The defense attorney's cross-examination revealed inconsistencies in the witness's story

Typically used in formal or official contexts to investigate or ask about something in detail.

• The company launched an inquiry into the financial discrepancies
• There was a public inquiry into the safety standards of the new building