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discovery

noun
dis·​cov·​ery | \ di-ˈskə-v(ə-)rē How to pronounce discovery (audio) \
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.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Gevers said his discovery of the database presented an ethical dilemma. — Dake Kang, The Seattle Times, "Exposed Chinese database shows depth of surveillance state," 20 Feb. 2019 According to his account, he was told about the uranium during a safety inspection months after their initial discovery. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "The Grand Canyon's Museum Has Reportedly Been Exposing Tourists to Uranium for 18 Years," 19 Feb. 2019 One example was an analysis of all public screenshots of this game that had existed prior to their discovery. — Sam Machkovech, Ars Technica, "You can now download the long-lost (and unfinished) SimCity NES port," 26 Dec. 2018 But my joyful discovery of this shortcut was short lived. — Emily Chiu, Redbook, "Why I Never Put Christmas Presents In Gift Bags," 5 Nov. 2018 This 1922 copy, part of the collection of American mineralogist George F. Kunz (the stone Kunzite has him to thank for its discovery and its name) is seen as a prototype for the official 1925 Fersman volumes I had been invited to see. — Stellene Volandes, Town & Country, "Inside the Enduring Mystery of What Happened to Russia's Imperial Jewelry," 1 Nov. 2018 Crusading lawyer Michael Avenatti has released a statement about new allegations facing R. Kelly, who, according to journalist Jim DeRogatis, Chicago prosecutors are moving to indict on assault charges after the discovery of new videotape evidence. — Bridget Read, Vogue, "R. Kelly Could Be Indicted Soon Based on a New VHS Tape," 14 Feb. 2019 Scientists had confirmed the discovery of the first planets beyond our solar system not too long before, in the early-to-mid 1990s. — Andrew Moseman, Popular Mechanics, "Kepler's Last Light, and Its Towering Legacy," 8 Feb. 2019 Last month, Tumblr’s official app was removed from Apple’s App Store over the discovery of child pornography on the site. — Bijan Stephen, The Verge, "Tumblr’s porn ban could be its downfall — after all, it happened to LiveJournal," 6 Dec. 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.

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First Known Use of discovery

1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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Last Updated

7 Mar 2019

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Time Traveler for discovery

The first known use of discovery was in 1529

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More Definitions for discovery

discovery

noun
How to pronounce discovery (audio)

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 How to pronounce discovery (audio) , -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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More from Merriam-Webster on discovery

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with discovery

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for discovery

Spanish Central: Translation of discovery

Nglish: Translation of discovery for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of discovery for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about discovery

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