exposition

noun

ex·​po·​si·​tion ˌek-spə-ˈzi-shən 

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

ˌek-spə-ˈzi-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms of exposition

• exhibit
• exhibition
• display

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

That afternoon, the president, inside the exposition’s ornate Temple of Music, greeted members of the public, shaking hands and warmly inviting them to explore the fair. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026

A lot of the other performances are overly serious and bogged down with exposition. — Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 25 Aug. 2026

Typically, these overwrought exposition scenes with this crew split a mean difference between relaying the necessary plot-driving information and entertaining moments where one or two or all of the players get a chance to cook. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 23 Aug. 2026

John Stewart’s exasperated adieu to his alien abductors doubles as a meta acknowledgement of Episode 2’s exposition-heavy plotting. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 23 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see exposit

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for exposition

• abolition
• acquisition
• admonition
• ammunition
• apparition
• apposition
• coalition
• competition
• composition
• definition
• deglutition
• demolition

Kids Definition

exposition

noun

ex·​po·​si·​tion ˌek-spə-ˈzish-ən 

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