discovery

noun

dis·cov·ery | \ di-ˈskə-v(ə-)rē

plural discoveries

Definition of discovery

1a : 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

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about discovery

Keep scrolling for more

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 on the Web

But the discovery of egret eggs halted the plan’s quick implementation. — Elaine Ayala, ExpressNews.com, "City, military officials took wrong route to Elmendorf’s bird island," 8 June 2019 San Onofre was shut down in January 2012 after a small radiation leak led to the discovery of extensive damage to hundreds of tubes inside the virtually new generators. — Washington Post, "House panel highlights risks over nuclear-storage stalemate," 7 June 2019 Jones' deposition date comes after segments of other depositions taken in the case related to discovery were released last week in court filings. — Sarah Jorgensen, CNN, "Alex Jones expected to be deposed in Sandy Hook case," 5 June 2019 Earlier this year a search for shipping containers that fell off a merchant ship during a storm led to the discovery of a historic 16th-century shipwreck in Dutch waters. — Fox News, "Creepy shipwreck revealed by shifting sands on North Carolina beach," 5 June 2019 The update was withdrawn shortly after its initial release due to the discovery of a bug causing data loss. — Peter Bright, Ars Technica, "Windows 10 October 2018 Update is back, this time without deleting your data," 13 Nov. 2018 Thanks to the discovery of massive offshore natural-gas fields, Israel has become an energy exporter. — David Isaac, Jewish Journal, "Israel and China start conversation about mutual ties," 11 July 2018 Their story appeared in the Aug. 19, 2008, edition of the Miami Herald, setting in motion a series of events that ultimately would lead to the discovery of secret graves on the remote North Florida campus, and the notorious youth prison's closure. — Carol Marbin Miller, miamiherald, "A victim of vile abuse at Florida reform school, he spent his life fighting for justice," 10 July 2018 One of the most exciting discoveries in astronomy over the last several years has been the explosion in exoplanet identification. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Why Aren't There More Habitable Planets? Blame Red Dwarfs," 25 Apr. 2019

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.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about discovery

Dictionary Entries near discovery

Statistics for discovery

Last Updated

13 Jun 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for discovery

The first known use of discovery was in 1529

See more words from the same year

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for discovery

discovery

noun

English Language Learners Definition of discovery

: 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

See the full definition for discovery in the English Language Learners Dictionary

discovery

noun

dis·cov·ery | \ di-ˈskəv-ə-rē

, -ˈskəv-rē\

plural discoveries

Kids Definition of discovery

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

discovery

noun

dis·cov·ery

plural discoveries

Legal Definition of discovery

1 : the act or process of discovering

2 : something discovered applied for a patent for the discovery

3a : 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.