noun

exhibition

ek-sih-BISH-un/ˌeksɪˈbɪʃn/

A display presented for others to see.

Visitors study paintings and a sculpture at the art exhibition.

Visitors browse a small public art exhibition: two framed paintings hang in a spaced display beside a sculpture on a plinth, while one visitor studies a painting and another examines the sculpture.

Etymology

exLatinout

+hibitLatinto hold

+ionLatinaction or process

From 'holding out' something to view, the noun first named the action of displaying. It later came to mean what was displayed, connecting the act of showing with a public display.

In context

The Met28:16

the public exhibition of works of art. Artists are painting specifically for exhibition, not necessarily even with a patron.

Exhibition Tour–Look Again: European Paintings 1300-1800

More examples

The library hosts an exhibition of historic photographs.
His exhibition of anger makes everyone uncomfortable.
The teams play an exhibition before the regular season begins.

Forms

exhibition · exhibitions

exhibit verb — To display something for others to see.

Similar words

display: A broader term that also covers private arrangements of objects.
exhibit: Often one item or section within a larger exhibition.