Meaning & use
an exhibit
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Meanings
phrasecountable
An object or collection of objects shown to the public, especially in a museum or art gallery.
Grammar: The phrase includes the article 'an' and the noun 'exhibit'. You can talk about 'the exhibits' in a museum.
Patterns
- an exhibit in a museum
- see an exhibit
- put on an exhibit
The museum has an exhibit of ancient Egyptian jewelry.
We spent an hour looking at an exhibit about space travel.
An exhibit of her paintings will open next month.
phrasecountablelegal
A document or object shown in a court of law as evidence.
Grammar: In legal contexts, an exhibit is often labeled with a letter or number, e.g., 'Exhibit A'.
Patterns
- an exhibit in a trial
- mark something as an exhibit
- refer to an exhibit
The lawyer showed the jury an exhibit: a signed contract.
The knife was entered as an exhibit in the murder trial.
Exhibit B is a photograph of the scene.
Word forms
| plural | exhibits |
|---|
Common combinations
- an exhibit of paintings
- The gallery is hosting an exhibit of modern paintings.
- a museum exhibit
- The dinosaur museum exhibit is very popular.
- Exhibit A
- The prosecution presented Exhibit A to the court.
Synonyms and how they differ
- display
- A display is a collection of things arranged for people to look at; an exhibit is often a single item or a more formal showing.
- exhibition
- An exhibition is a large public show of art or other items; an exhibit can be one part of an exhibition.
Word family
- exhibit verb
- To show something in public, or to show a quality or feeling.
- exhibition noun
- A public show of art or other objects.
- exhibitor noun
- A person or company that shows something at an exhibition.
Commonly confused: an exhibit or exhibition?
an exhibit vs exhibition
An exhibition is a whole event or show; an exhibit is one item or display within it.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'an exhibit' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'An exhibit' is correct because 'exhibit' starts with a vowel sound. 'An exhibit' is wrong because 'a' is used before consonant sounds. 'An exhibit of ancient coin' is wrong because 'coin' is a countable noun and should be plural here. 'Has exhibit' is wrong because a singular countable noun needs an article.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “an exhibit”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.