Exhibit vs. Exhibition: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
An exhibit is an individual object or item displayed for public viewing, whereas an exhibition is a public display or presentation of a collection of items.
Key Differences
An exhibit refers to a single item or object on display, such as a painting in a museum. An exhibition, on the other hand, is a collection of such items presented together, like a museum's gallery showcasing several artworks.
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Nov 30, 2023
Exhibit can also mean to demonstrate or show a quality, trait, or evidence. In contrast, exhibition generally does not have this usage and is mainly used in the context of displaying collections or series of items.
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In legal contexts, an exhibit is a document or object presented as evidence in court. An exhibition, however, does not typically have a legal application and is more associated with art, culture, and trade shows.
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Exhibit can be a verb meaning to display or show something. Exhibition is used as a noun describing the event or space where objects or works are displayed.
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An exhibit can be part of an exhibition, as individual pieces contribute to the larger collection or showcase presented in exhibitions.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
An individual item or object on display
A public display or presentation of a collection
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Usage
Can be a single object or evidence in legal context
Refers to the event or space of collective display
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Exhibit and Exhibition Definitions
Exhibit
An object or document used as evidence in court.
The lawyer presented the contract as an exhibit in the trial.
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Exhibition
A display or demonstration of skills or talents.
The gymnastics team put on an impressive exhibition.
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Exhibit
To reveal or display a quality or emotion.
She exhibited great patience while teaching.
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Exhibition
An event where various items are displayed for public viewing.
The exhibition of rare books was fascinating.
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Exhibit
To show or demonstrate something.
The athlete will exhibit her skills at the competition.
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Exhibition
A public display of a collection of items or artworks.
The new art exhibition will open this Friday.
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Exhibition
A curated showcase in a museum or gallery.
The photography exhibition highlighted environmental issues.
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Exhibit
To present for others to see
Rolled up his sleeve to exhibit the scar.
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Exhibit
To present in a public exhibition or contest
Exhibited her paintings at a gallery.
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Exhibit
To give evidence or an instance of; demonstrate
Young musicians eager to exhibit their talent.
A plant that exhibits dimorphism.
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Exhibition
A large-scale public showing, as of art objects or industrial or agricultural products.
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Exhibition
Chiefly British A grant given to a scholar by a school or university.
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Exhibit
A public showing; an exhibition
Spent the afternoon at the art exhibit.
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Exhibit
Something exhibited
Each exhibit in the show took hours to assemble.
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Exhibition
A large-scale public showing of objects or products.
There was an art exhibition on in the town hall.
A boat exhibition
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Exhibit
(Law) Something marked for identification with the purpose of being introduced as evidence
Referred to Exhibit A.
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Exhibition
A public display, intentional or otherwise, generally characterised as negative, a shameful exhibition or a disgusting exhibition
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Exhibit
(Informal) Something used as an example, as when arguing or making a point
You never do your chores—Exhibit A.
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Exhibit
(transitive) To display or show (something) for others to see, especially at an exhibition or contest.
He wanted to exhibit his baseball cards.
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Exhibition
(UK) A financial award or prize given to a student (who becomes an exhibitioner) by a school or university, usually on the basis of academic merit.
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Exhibition
(sports) A game which does not impact the standings for any major cup or competition.
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Exhibit
To submit (a physical object) to a court as evidence.
I now exhibit this bloody hammer.
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Exhibition
The act of exhibiting for inspection, or of holding forth to view; manifestation; display.
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Exhibit
(intransitive) To put on a public display.
Will you be exhibiting this year?
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Exhibition
That which is exhibited, held forth, or displayed; also, any public show; a display of works of art, or of feats of skill, or of oratorical or dramatic ability; as, an exhibition of animals; an exhibition of pictures, statues, etc.; an industrial exhibition.
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Exhibition
Sustenance; maintenance; allowance, esp. for meat and drink; pension.
What maintenance he from his friends receives,Like exhibition thou shalt have from me.
I have given more exhibitions to scholars, in my days, than to the priests.
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Exhibit
A public showing; an exhibition.
The museum's new exhibit is drawing quite a crowd.
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Exhibition
A collection of things (goods or works of art etc.) for public display
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Exhibit
(legal) An article formally introduced as evidence in a court.
Exhibit A is this photograph of the corpse.
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Exhibition
An organized presentation or show, like a trade show.
The annual car exhibition attracts thousands of visitors.
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Exhibit
To hold forth or present to view; to produce publicly, for inspection; to show, especially in order to attract notice to what is interesting; to display; as, to exhibit commodities in a warehouse, a picture in a gallery.
Exhibiting a miserable example of the weakness of mind and body.
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Exhibit
To submit, as a document, to a court or officer, in course of proceedings; also, to present or offer officially or in legal form; to bring, as a charge.
He suffered his attorney-general to exhibit a charge of high treason against the earl.
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Exhibit
Any article, or collection of articles, displayed to view, as in an industrial exhibition; a display; as, this exhibit was marked A; the English exhibit.
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Exhibit
A document produced and identified in court for future use as evidence.
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Exhibit
An object or statement produced before a court of law and referred to while giving evidence
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Exhibit
Something shown to the public;
The museum had many exhibits of oriental art
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Exhibit
Show an attribute, property, knowledge, or skill;
He exhibits a great talent
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Exhibit
To show, make visible or apparent;
The Metropolitan Museum is exhibiting Goya's works this month
Why don't you show your nice legs and wear shorter skirts?
National leaders will have to display the highest skills of statesmanship
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Exhibit
Show or demonstrate something to an interested audience;
She shows her dogs frequently
We will demo the new software in Washington
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Exhibit
A display or piece of work shown in a public space.
The dinosaur skeleton is a popular exhibit at the museum.
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Exhibit
To display artwork or items in a gallery.
He plans to exhibit his photographs next month.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Does exhibit have meanings outside of displaying objects?
Yes, exhibit can also mean to show a characteristic or serve as evidence in court.
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Can an exhibit stand alone?
Yes, an exhibit can be a standalone display or part of a larger exhibition.
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Is an exhibition always in a museum?
No, exhibitions can be held in various venues like galleries, trade fairs, and more.
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Can anyone create an exhibit?
Yes, individuals or organizations can create exhibits.
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Can an exhibit be part of multiple exhibitions?
Yes, an exhibit can be shown in different exhibitions over time.
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Do exhibitions charge entry fees?
Some do, while others are free to the public.
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Do exhibits need a curator?
While not always, exhibits in formal settings often have a curator.
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Are exhibitions temporary?
Exhibitions can be both temporary and permanent.
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Is an exhibit always physical?
Primarily, though it can also refer to digital or virtual displays.
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Do exhibitions have themes?
Many exhibitions are centered around a specific theme or topic.
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How long do exhibitions last?
The duration of exhibitions varies, from a few days to several months.
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Can exhibitions be interactive?
Yes, many exhibitions are designed to be interactive.
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Are there virtual exhibitions?
Yes, with technology, many exhibitions are now also available virtually.
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Do exhibitions contribute to education?
Yes, exhibitions often have educational components, providing learning experiences.
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Is photography allowed in exhibitions?
It varies; some allow it, while others may restrict photography.
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Can exhibits be bought?
Some exhibits, especially in art galleries, can be purchased.
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Can exhibits be outdoor?
Yes, there are many outdoor exhibits, such as in sculpture parks.
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Are exhibitions only for art?
No, exhibitions can showcase a variety of subjects, including science, history, and more.
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Can I hold a private exhibition?
Yes, individuals or groups can organize private exhibitions.
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Are historical artifacts considered exhibits?
Yes, historical artifacts are commonly displayed as exhibits in museums.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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