/ ɪgˌzæmɪˈneɪʃn; NAmE / noun
1.
[ C ] ( formal ) = exam :
to sit an examination in mathematics
successful candidates in GCSE examinations
Applicants are selected for jobs on the results of a competitive examination.
HELP NOTE : Use
take / do / sit an examination
not write an examination .
2.
[ U , C ] the act of looking at or considering sth very carefully :
Careful examination of the ruins revealed an even earlier temple.
On closer examination it was found that the signature was not genuine.
Your proposals are still under examination .
The issue needs further examination .
The chapter concludes with a brief examination of some of the factors causing family break-up.
3.
[ C ] a close look at sth/sb, especially to see if there is anything wrong or to find the cause of a problem :
a medical examination
a post-mortem examination
—see also cross-examination
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (also in the sense testing (one's conscience) by a standard ): via Old French from Latin examinatio(n-) , from examinare weigh, test, from examen examination.