discovery

noun dis·cov·ery \ di-ˈskə-v(ə-)rē \

|Updated on: 8 Aug 2018

Examples: discovery in a Sentence

Definition of discovery

plural discoveries

1 a : the act or process of discovering

the discovery of a lost city

b (1) archaic : disclosure

(2) obsolete : display

c obsolete : exploration

2 : something discovered

3 : the usually pretrial disclosure of pertinent facts or documents by one or both parties to a legal action or proceeding

See discovery defined for English-language learners

See discovery defined for kids

Examples of discovery in a Sentence

Scientists announced the discovery of a new species of plant.
Her research led to a number of important discoveries about the disease.
Reporters made the shocking discovery that the governor had been unfaithful to his wife.
the discovery of pollution in the river
the discovery of a talented musician
sailors during the age of discovery
It was one of the most important discoveries in the history of medicine.

Recent Examples of discovery from the Web

There's this sense of discovery, and thinking about that cue helped me in other scenes that had nothing to do with that scene.

— max cea, Billboard, "'Sorry to Bother You' Director Boots Riley on Working With Tune-Yards and Breaking the Rules of Soundtracks," 13 July 2018
Litigation also presents the risk of pretrial discovery.

— michael mccann, SI.com, "Could Gareon Conley Legally Prove That Rape Allegation Caused Draft Slide, Financial Harm?," 12 July 2018
Details of the discovery were not released, but a warning was issued Wednesday for the state's veterinarians to be on the lookout for a rapid spread.

— mark price, charlotteobserver, "New ‘exotic’ tick invades NC, and it’s an ‘aggressive biter.’ How far has it spread?," 12 July 2018
Although the park has been fully open for four years, new attractions, art and plantings, plus an extension slated for next year, will renew your sense of discovery.

— andrea sachs, chicagotribune.com, "Take a walk on New York's High Line from end-to-end," 2 July 2018
Details of the discovery will be published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics.

— richard tribou, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Image captures moment planet is born, scientists say," 2 July 2018
The network reported that he was made aware of the discovery at his home but was advised by his lawyers to stay in Florida.

— alexia fernandez, PEOPLE.com, "A Dead Body Was Found in the Home of an NFL Star — and His Brother Is Accused of Manslaughter," 27 June 2018
Proust said the the journey of discovery lies not in seeking new landscapes, but in seeing with new eyes.

— NBC News, "How to put the spark back in your marriage, according to a dating coach," 26 June 2018
Within days of the discovery, her dog and home were riddled with the parasites which can cause Lyme disease.

— daniel sheridan | swns, Fox News, "Woman's home infested with ticks after 85 are found on family dog," 25 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'discovery.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of discovery

1529

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

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discovery Synonyms

DISCOVERY Defined for English Language Learners

discovery

noun

Definition of discovery for English Language Learners

: the act of finding or learning something for the first time : the act of discovering something
: something seen or learned for the first time : something discovered

DISCOVERY Defined for Kids

discovery

noun dis·cov·ery \ di-ˈskəv-ə-rē , -ˈskəv-rē \

Definition of discovery for Students

plural discoveries

1 : an act of finding out or learning of for the first time

Experiments led to their discovery of the cure.

2 : something found or learned of for the first time

a recent discovery

Law Dictionary

discovery

noun dis·cov·ery

legal Definition of discovery

plural discoveries

1 : the act or process of discovering

2 : something discovered

applied for a patent for the discovery

3 a : the methods used by parties to a civil or criminal action to obtain information held by the other party that is relevant to the action — see also deposition, interrogatory, request for production

b : the disclosure of information held by the opposing party in an action

a party need not provide discovery of electronically stored information…not reasonably accessible
—Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 26(b)(2)(B)

— see also privilege, work product doctrine

Note: Discovery allowed under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26 is far-reaching. With some exceptions, a party may obtain discovery of any relevant information as long as it is not privileged, including information that itself would not be admissible at trial but that is likely to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence. Criminal discovery, however, has been more controversial. Under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 16, a defendant may obtain discovery of his or her own written or recorded statements or confessions, results of examinations and tests, his or her recorded testimony before a grand jury, and testimony to be given by the prosecution's expert witnesses. A defendant may also inspect the prosecution's books, documents, photographs, objects, and other items of evidence. Under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 12.1, the prosecution must also disclose the names of witnesses that will be called to rebut the defendant's alibi defense. The defendant must also permit the prosecution to inspect books, documents, photographs, and objects and must disclose reports of examinations or tests and testimony of expert witnesses.