exposition

noun

ex·​po·​si·​tion ˌek-spə-ˈzi-shən How to pronounce exposition (audio)
1
: a setting forth of the meaning or purpose (as of a writing)
2
a
: discourse or an example of it designed to convey information or explain what is difficult to understand
b(1)
: the first part of a musical composition in sonata form in which the thematic material of the movement is presented
(2)
: the opening section of a fugue
3
: a public exhibition or show
expositional adjective

Examples of exposition in a Sentence

This is not an easy book, and the reader may find the layers of detail challenging. There are long expositions of the knotty tangles of monarchical lineage, and the necessary chronicle of historical events occasionally consumes the novel's narrative drive. Lucy Lethbridge, Commonweal, 23 Oct. 2009
He is masterly in absorbing information and masterful in organizing it—skeptical of fashion, clear in exposition, fluent in communication, unremittingly scholarly. Felipe Fernandez-Armesto, New York Times Book Review, 11 June 2000
Although they were invited to use an early X ray machine on display at the exposition, they turned down the offer, and they never found the bullet. T. Burton Smith, American Heritage, September 1992
The subject requires some exposition. a clear exposition of his ideas
Recent Examples on the Web The objects collected for the exposition became the foundation for the Field Museum’s collection. Julia Jacobs, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2024 The weeklong exposition is a beauty- and wellness-industry celebration that brings together leading beauty brands, influential industry leaders, and passionate consumer guests at this world-class resort venue. Debbi Kickham, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024 The film operates on a need-to-know basis, forcing people to explain themselves through inelegantly breathless exposition. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Feb. 2024 The book had too much exposition and dialog to be directly transposed into a film script, and so shortcut scenes had to be invented. Patrick Frater, Variety, 8 Nov. 2023 Attwell doesn’t do that through exposition about what any particular companies are doing, laying out a case in any journalistic sense, but through a character who embodies voracious information-gathering and manipulation. Sam Hurwitt, The Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2024 The Ecuador flashbacks, which would be better handled through exposition, take us to meetings inside the president’s office with a sinister State Department figure (played by Leandro Cano). Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2024 The conspiracy theorists also claim buildings briefly constructed for World Fairs or expositions were part of the Tartarian Empire. Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 25 Dec. 2023 All this exposition is to make the point that Scott Pilgrim Takes Off tries something similar, but with much better results. EW.com, 17 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'exposition.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see exposit

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of exposition was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near exposition

Cite this Entry

“Exposition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exposition. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

exposition

noun
ex·​po·​si·​tion ˌek-spə-ˈzish-ən How to pronounce exposition (audio)
1
: an explanation of something
2
: a piece of writing that explains
3
: the first part of a piece of music in which the theme is presented
4
: a public exhibition
expositor
ik-ˈspäz-ət-ər
noun
expository
ik-ˈspäz-ə-ˌtōr-ē
-ˌtȯr-
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on exposition

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