exhibition
exhibition
Pronunciation
exhibition /ˌɛksɪˈbɪʃən/
ex- /ɛks/:
/ɛ/ as in "bet"
/k/ as in "cat"
/s/ as in "sit"
i- /ɪ/:
/ɪ/ as in "kit"
bi- /bɪ/:
/b/ as in "bat"
/ɪ/ as in "kit"
tion /ʃən/:
/ʃ/ as in "shoe"
/ə/ as in "sofa" (schwa)
/n/ as in "no"
Word Form Variations
Noun:
exhibition (singular)
exhibitions (plural)
Verb:
exhibit (base form)
exhibits (3rd person singular present)
exhibiting (present participle)
exhibited (past tense, past participle)
Adjective:
exhibitionist (describing someone who engages in exhibitionism)
exhibitory (relating to an exhibition)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun:
Definition 1: A public display of works of art, industrial products, or other items of interest, organized for people to view and appreciate.
Synonyms: show, display, exposition, fair, gala, presentation
Antonyms: concealment, hiding, storage (in the context of not being on display)
Definition 2: The act or process of showing, presenting, or putting something on public view.
Synonyms: presentation, demonstration, showing, revelation, disclosure
Antonyms: concealment, suppression, withdrawal, secrecy
Verb (Derived from "exhibit," related to "exhibition"):
Definition 1 (exhibit): To publicly display a work of art, skill, or object for others to view or appreciate.
Synonyms: display, show, present, demonstrate, reveal, showcase
Antonyms: hide, conceal, obscure, suppress, withhold
Definition 2 (exhibit): To show or demonstrate a particular quality, feeling, or behavior.
Synonyms: manifest, display, demonstrate, evidence, reveal, portray
Antonyms: conceal, suppress, hide, mask
Adjective (Derived from "exhibition," related to "exhibit"):
Definition 1 (exhibitionist): Pertaining to or characterized by a desire for attention or to show off, often in an uninhibited or inappropriate way.
Synonyms: flamboyant, showy, ostentatious, theatrical, demonstrative
Antonyms: modest, reserved, shy, unassuming, discreet
Definition 2 (exhibitory): Relating to or involving an exhibition; serving to exhibit.
Synonyms: demonstrative, illustrative, showcasing
Antonyms: none direct, but could imply non-displaying or non-showing
Examples of Use
Books: "The curator meticulously arranged the ancient artifacts for the new exhibition at the British Museum, ensuring each piece told its unique story." (From a historical fiction novel set in London)
Newspapers: "Art enthusiasts flocked to the National Gallery of Art's latest exhibition, 'Echoes of Impressionism,' which opened last month and features works never before seen by the public." (As reported in The Washington Post, June 2025)
Online Publications: "After a highly successful run, the interactive digital exhibition exploring the history of artificial intelligence has been extended through August." (As seen on Wired.com, May 2025)
Various Entertainment Media and Platforms:
Film Review: "While the plot was thin, the film's visual exhibition of futuristic cityscapes was truly breathtaking." (Review on Rotten Tomatoes, April 2025)
Video Game News: "Developers announced a special in-game exhibition event, allowing players to test upcoming features before the official release." (Post on a popular gaming forum, March 2025)
Podcast Episode: "In this week's episode, we discuss the captivating 'Beyond Van Gogh' immersive exhibition that's touring major cities." (From a culture podcast, February 2025)
General Public Discourse:
"Did you get a chance to see the new dinosaur exhibition at the natural history museum? My kids loved it!" (Conversation among parents at a park, June 2025)
"The local craft fair is more of an exhibition of talent than just a place to buy things; the artists really put their heart into their work." (Comment made at a community gathering, May 2025)
"His arrogant exhibition of wealth at the party made everyone uncomfortable." (Heard in casual conversation, April 2025)
10 Quotes Using Exhibition
"The Church is not a gallery for the exhibition of eminent Christians, but a school for the education of imperfect ones." (Henry Ward Beecher)
"A man's thinking goes on within his consciousness in a seclusion in comparison with which any physical seclusion is an exhibition to public view." (Ludwig Wittgenstein)
"Cultural confinement takes place when a curator imposes his limits on an art exhibition, rather than asking an artist to set his limits." (Robert Smithson)
"The show business has all phases and grades of dignity, from the exhibition of a monkey to the exposition of that highest art in music or the drama which secures for the gifted artists a world-wide fame princes well might envy." (P.T. Barnum)
"Only an idiot would open an exhibition saying, 'Look at my awesome work.'" (Cai Guo-Qiang)
"I believe that an art exhibition can be engaging, fun, and deeply intellectually satisfying and serious. These are not contradictory concepts in art." (Jeffrey Deitch)
"I have loved corsets since I was small. When I was a child, my grandmother took me to an exhibition, and they had a corset on display." (Jean Paul Gaultier)
"They talk about those All-Star Games being exhibition affairs, and maybe they are, but I've seen very few players in my life who didn't want to win, no matter whom they were playing or what for." (Carl Hubbell)
"Works of art often last forever, or nearly so. But exhibitions themselves, especially gallery exhibitions, are like flowers; they bloom and then they die, then exist only as memories, or pressed in magazines and books." (Jerry Saltz)
"My mother was a teacher, and when she wanted to show me art and literature and science, she'd take me to museums, parks, and free exhibitions." (David Blaine)
Etymology
The word "exhibition" has a Latin root. It comes from the Late Latin word "exhibitionem," which meant "a showing, presentation, or display."
This Latin term, in turn, is built from two simpler parts:
"ex": This prefix means "out" or "from." Think of words like "exit" (go out) or "extract" (pull out).
"habere": This Latin verb means "to hold" or "to have."
So, literally, "exhibition" meant something like "holding out" or "holding forth" – in other words, to show something by presenting it outwards for others to see.
The word "exhibition" first appeared in English in the early 14th century. Its earliest known meaning was the "action of displaying" something. Over time, it also came to mean the actual collection of things being displayed, which is the most common meaning we use today for things like art shows or museum displays.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Exhibition
Exhibition match/game: A sporting event played for entertainment or practice, not for competition points.
Exhibition piece: An item specifically created or selected to be displayed, often showcasing skill or a unique quality.
On exhibition: Currently being displayed to the public.
Exhibition hall/center: A venue designed for holding large public displays or trade shows.
Grand exhibition: A large-scale, impressive public display.
Make an exhibition of oneself: To behave in a foolish, embarrassing, or overly dramatic way in public. (This is a well-known idiom.)
Public exhibition: Any display open to the general public.
Exhibition of strength/skill: A demonstration of one's power or ability.
Open an exhibition: To officially start or inaugurate a public display.
Mount an exhibition: To organize and set up a display.
Put on a show: (Using a synonym for similar effect) To make a public display, often implying effort or a performance.
Display of affection: (Using a synonym for similar effect) An open showing of love or fondness.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of exhibition from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
