Meaning & use
exhibits
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“exhibits” is a form of “exhibit”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nouncountable
Objects or works of art put on public display, especially in a museum or gallery.
Grammar: Countable; usually plural when referring to a collection, but singular 'exhibit' refers to one item.
Patterns
- exhibits in a museum
- view exhibits
- interactive exhibits
The museum's new exhibits include ancient pottery and modern sculptures.
Visitors are not allowed to touch the exhibits.
The science center has many hands-on exhibits for children.
nouncountablelegal
Documents or objects presented as evidence in a court of law.
Grammar: Countable; often used in plural to refer to multiple pieces of evidence.
Patterns
- enter exhibits into evidence
- exhibits A and B
- the prosecution's exhibits
The lawyer submitted the photographs as exhibits.
The jury examined the exhibits carefully before deciding.
Exhibit 3 shows the signed contract.
verbtransitiveformal
To show a quality, feeling, or symptom.
Grammar: Takes an object: exhibit patience, exhibit symptoms.
Patterns
- exhibit a quality
- exhibit symptoms
- exhibit behavior
The patient exhibited signs of dehydration.
She exhibited great courage during the crisis.
Some animals exhibit unusual behavior before an earthquake.
Word forms
| third person singular | exhibits |
|---|---|
| past tense | exhibited |
| past participle | exhibited |
| -ing form | exhibiting |
| plural | exhibits |
Common combinations
- exhibit symptoms
- The patient exhibited symptoms of the flu.
- exhibit behavior
- The children exhibited good behavior at the party.
- museum exhibit
- The museum exhibit on dinosaurs was very popular.
- exhibit evidence
- The prosecution exhibited the weapon during the trial.
Synonyms and how they differ
- display
- Display is more general and can be a verb or noun; exhibit is often used for formal shows or legal evidence.
- show
- Show is informal and broad; exhibit is more formal and specific to public viewing or evidence.
- demonstrate
- Demonstrate means to show clearly by giving proof or examples; exhibit often means to show a quality or symptom.
Opposites
Word family
- exhibition noun
- A public display of art or other items.
- exhibitor noun
- A person or company that shows something at an exhibition.
- exhibit verb
- To show or display something.
Commonly confused: exhibits or exhibition?
exhibits vs exhibition
Exhibition is an event where many exhibits are shown; an exhibit is a single item or a legal piece of evidence.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
Choose one answer.
In a legal context, multiple pieces of evidence are called 'exhibits'. 'Exhibit' (singular) is also correct but the plural is more common when there are several. 'Exhibition' is a public display, not evidence.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “exhibits”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.