Exhibit
verb/nounBase exhibit · Past exhibited · Past Participle exhibited · Present Participle exhibiting · 3rd person exhibits
Definition
1. (verb) To show or display something publicly — especially art, objects, or skills.
2. (verb) To clearly show a quality, feeling, or behaviour — often used in formal or professional contexts.
3. (noun) An object or collection of objects displayed in a museum, gallery, or public space for people to look at.
2. (verb) To clearly show a quality, feeling, or behaviour — often used in formal or professional contexts.
3. (noun) An object or collection of objects displayed in a museum, gallery, or public space for people to look at.
Context Alive
You take your niece to the natural history museum on a rainy Saturday. She runs ahead and stops in front of a huge dinosaur skeleton in the main hall — her mouth wide open. You read the sign and it says the skeleton is a new exhibit on loan from a museum in Argentina. She asks if the dinosaur is real and you say yes, every single bone. She stands there for ten minutes, refusing to move to the next room.
Meanings
3 meanings 1 To Show or Display Publicly (Verb) Very Common ▼
This meaning is about putting something on show for other people to see — usually art, objects, or products in a formal or organised setting. Imagine a photographer who spent two years travelling through Africa taking pictures of wildlife. A gallery in London offers to exhibit her work, and for three months her photographs hang on the walls for thousands of visitors to admire. This is describing the act of publicly displaying something. You might read that "the museum is exhibiting rare Egyptian artefacts this summer" in a listing of events, or someone could say "she exhibited her paintings at a gallery in New York" about an artist who got her first big show. Or picture a car manufacturer at a motor show — they exhibit their newest models on a shiny platform with spotlights, hoping to impress potential buyers. The word suggests a formal, curated display meant to attract attention.
✏️ Exhibit as a verb is more formal than "show" or "display." You exhibit work at a gallery, but you "show" photos to a friend. The noun exhibition is the event itself: "a photography exhibition," "a trade exhibition." Don't confuse exhibit (one specific item or display) with exhibition (the whole event).
2 To Clearly Show a Quality or Behaviour (Verb) Common ▼
This meaning is about demonstrating a particular quality, emotion, or behaviour — making it visible through your actions. Imagine a job candidate who stays calm and confident throughout a tough panel interview, answering every difficult question with clarity. She exhibits exactly the kind of composure the company is looking for. This is describing a quality that is clearly visible in someone's behaviour. You might read that "the patient exhibited signs of anxiety" in a medical report, or someone could say "the team exhibited great teamwork under pressure" about a group that performed well in a crisis. Or think about a child who exhibits unusual talent for music at a very young age — playing complex pieces before she can even read properly. The word suggests the quality is clearly on display for others to observe.
✏️ This meaning is common in medical, legal, and academic writing. Doctors say patients exhibit symptoms, lawyers present exhibits (evidence) in court, and researchers say subjects exhibit behaviours. It sounds more objective and clinical than "show" — which is exactly why professionals prefer it.
3 An Object or Display in a Museum or Gallery (Noun) Very Common ▼
This meaning is about the thing being displayed — a specific object, item, or collection that people come to see in a public space. Imagine walking through a science museum and stopping in front of a glass case containing a real moon rock brought back by astronauts. That moon rock is an exhibit. This is describing an individual item or a themed display within a larger space. You might say "the dinosaur exhibit was my favourite part of the museum" about a section dedicated to prehistoric creatures, or someone could say "they've added a new exhibit on ancient Rome" when a museum expands its collection. Or picture a children's museum with interactive exhibits where kids can touch, press buttons, and experiment — each station is a separate exhibit designed to teach something. The word describes what visitors come to see and experience.
✏️ In American English, exhibit is used both for a single item and for a whole themed section: "the Egypt exhibit" can mean the entire Egyptian wing of a museum. In British English, exhibition is more common for the larger event, while exhibit tends to mean a single piece. In legal contexts, Exhibit A is the first piece of evidence presented in court — you'll hear this a lot in crime dramas.
Common Patterns
Displaying / Showing
exhibit + noun (art/objects) → to display something publicly in a formal setting
The gallery will exhibit her sculptures throughout the autumn.
exhibit + noun (quality/behaviour) → to clearly demonstrate a trait or characteristic
The student exhibited remarkable patience during the experiment.
be exhibited at/in + place → to be on display at a specific location
The collection is currently being exhibited at the National Gallery.
Noun Uses
a/the + exhibit → a specific item or display for public viewing
The whale skeleton is the most popular exhibit in the museum.
a new / permanent / temporary exhibit → describes how long the display will be available
There's a temporary exhibit on space exploration until March.
Exhibit A / B / C → numbered pieces of evidence in a legal case
The lawyer held up Exhibit A — a photograph of the crime scene.
Collocations
10 collocationsexhibit work
to display creative work publicly — paintings, photographs, etc.
exhibit signs/symptoms
to show visible indicators of a condition or emotion — medical/formal
exhibit behaviour
to display a particular pattern of actions — often clinical
a museum exhibit
an item or display housed in a museum
a permanent exhibit
a display that stays in the same location indefinitely
a temporary exhibit
a display that is only available for a limited time
an interactive exhibit
a display that visitors can touch or engage with
Exhibit A
the first piece of evidence in a legal case
exhibit great skill
to clearly demonstrate a high level of ability
on exhibit
currently being displayed for public viewing
Example Sentences
10 examples
1
The gallery is exhibiting works by local artists all through the summer.
The gallery is showing pieces by artists from the area for the entire summer season.
2
The dinosaur exhibit at the museum is incredible — the kids didn't want to leave.
The dinosaur display at the museum is amazing — the children refused to go home.
3
The patient exhibited signs of dehydration and was given fluids immediately.
The patient showed clear symptoms of dehydration and was put on a drip straight away.
4
She exhibited her photographs in Paris for the first time last year.
She displayed her photos in a Paris gallery for the first time twelve months ago.
5
The new exhibit on ancient Egypt opens next Friday and runs until December.
The new display about ancient Egypt launches next Friday and stays until the end of the year.
6
He exhibited remarkable courage during the rescue operation.
He showed extraordinary bravery during the rescue mission.
7
The lawyer presented Exhibit A — a series of emails proving the fraud.
The lawyer showed the first piece of evidence — a chain of emails that proved the scam.
8
The interactive exhibits at the science museum kept the children busy for hours.
The hands-on displays at the science museum kept the kids entertained all afternoon.
9
The painting has been on exhibit at the Louvre for over two hundred years.
The painting has been on public display at the Louvre for more than two centuries.
10
Children who exhibit early reading ability often benefit from advanced learning programmes.
Kids who show strong reading skills at a young age often do well in accelerated education.
Synonyms & Antonyms
6 items
Synonymsdisplay
the most common everyday alternative — works for both showing objects and qualities
showcase
emphasises presenting something in its best light — popular in marketing and events
demonstrate
focuses on proving or making something clear through action or evidence
Antonymsconceal
to deliberately hide something from view — the opposite of displaying
hide
the simplest opposite — keeping something out of sight
suppress
to hold back a quality or behaviour so others can't see it