exhibit
Americanverb (used with object)
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to offer or expose to view; present for inspection.
to exhibit the latest models of cars.
- Synonyms:
- demonstrate, show
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to manifest or display.
to exhibit anger; to exhibit interest.
- Antonyms:
- conceal
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to place on show.
to exhibit paintings.
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to make manifest; explain.
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Law. to submit (a document, object, etc.) in evidence in a court of law.
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Medicine/Medical Obsolete. to administer (something) as a remedy.
verb (used without object)
verb
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(also intr) to display (something) to the public for interest or instruction
this artist exhibits all over the world
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to manifest; display; show
the child exhibited signs of distress
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law to produce (a document or object) in court to serve as evidence
noun
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an object or collection exhibited to the public
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law a document or object produced in court and referred to or identified by a witness in giving evidence
Synonym Usage
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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exhibitableadjective
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exhibitantnoun
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exhibitornoun
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well-exhibitedadjective
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unexhibitableadjective
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preexhibitnoun
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reexhibitverb (used with object)
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unexhibitedadjective
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self-exhibitedadjective
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exhibitoryadjective
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exhibiternoun
Conjugated Forms
Present
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has exhibitedperfect 3rd person singular
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have exhibitedperfect
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am exhibitingprogressive 1st person singular
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is exhibitingprogressive 3rd person singular
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are exhibitingprogressive
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has been exhibitingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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have been exhibitingperfect progressive
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exhibitssingular 3rd person
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exhibitingparticiple
Past
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had exhibitedperfect
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had been exhibitingperfect progressive
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were exhibitingprogressive plural
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was exhibitingprogressive singular
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exhibitedsimple
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exhibitedparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of exhibit
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English exhibiten “to show,” from Latin exhibitus, past participle of exhibēre, from ex- ex- 1 + -hibēre (combining form of habēre “to have”); cf. habit 1
Explanation
An exhibit is an item that is shown off for the public, such as a painting on display at a gallery or a historical document shown under glass at a museum. The main thing to remember about an exhibit is that it refers to something presented formally and in a public setting. For example, if you put an action figure on a side table in your apartment and your friends come by and notice it, well, it’s just an action figure on a side table. Put that same action figure on a pedestal in a fancy gallery, arrange it just so, and voilà! It’s an exhibit. People may even look it over and discuss its meaning in hushed tones. Students of law — or people who watch a lot of TV — will know that when used in a legal context, the word exhibit can also refer to an item presented as evidence in a legal court.
Vocabulary lists containing exhibit
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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List 10
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It’s doubtful that Ross or any judge would exhibit such leniency from the bench when confronted with litigants’ similar misconduct.
From Slate • Jun. 8, 2026
So did the tar pulls, an interactive exhibit where visitors test their strength against levers submerged in buckets of asphalt.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026
I attended an indie punk showcase at her neighborhood bar and also a music history exhibit, “Nirvana: Taking Punk to the Masses,” at the Museum of Pop Culture.
From Salon • Jun. 6, 2026
The floor also has a “10 Letters” exhibit, which Obama has called probably his favorite in the building.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026
Exhibit after exhibit spread out before her, stacked like hatboxes.
From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
