discovery

noun

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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

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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 More of those moments are coming soon when Flagstaff celebrates the 90th anniversary of the discovery of the dwarf planet. — Weldon B. Johnson, azcentral, "Is Pluto a planet? Who cares! Flagstaff is celebrating the fact it was discovered there," 7 Feb. 2020 For Rosenberg, the daily promise of discovery is enough to keep him buoyed against doubt in what could be physics’ longest waiting game. — Emily Toomey, Smithsonian Magazine, "New Generation of Dark Matter Experiments Gear Up to Search for Elusive Particle," 3 Feb. 2020 In the aftermath of this discovery, Yang said his father would cry every night at dinner. — NBC News, "Bowen Yang's conversion therapy experience spotlights pressures on gay Asians," 28 Jan. 2020 Opportunities created by the federal legalization of hemp are welcome news not simply for STEM professionals facing an increasingly challenging job market, but also for scientists like me who are seeking new frontiers of discovery. — Andrea Holmes, STAT, "The cannabis boom could be good for science — and scientists," 27 Jan. 2020 Recognizing a new species of dinosaur in rocks that have been intensely investigated for over 150 years is an outstanding experience of discovery. — Ashley Strickland, CNN, "Radioactive dinosaur skull helped researchers make new discovery," 24 Jan. 2020 Stop at the Nature Center to receive your clues and set out for a day of discovery in Wisconsin's third oldest state park. — Elaine Rewolinski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Waukesha JanBoree, Hot Chocolate Fest, and more to do around Wisconsin this week," 12 Jan. 2020 This would be a safari in the old-fashioned sense of the word—a journey of discovery. — Peter Browne, Condé Nast Traveler, "A Slow Safari Along Zimbabwe’s Back Roads," 20 Dec. 2019 An on-site tribal monitor was notified, and excavation was halted in the area of the discovery, according to the office, which operates the Alamo. — USA TODAY, "Purple potatoes, suffragette mountain, pig your pardon?: News from around our 50 states," 17 Dec. 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.

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Last Updated

21 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Discovery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discovery. Accessed 26 Feb. 2020.

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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.

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