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
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
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
This makes sense in a line of work where exposition is the name of the game and there is a dogged thoroughness and a precision with terminology that suits the subject matter.
—Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 15 May 2025
Depending on each viewer’s relationship to Elsbeth, To Catch a Predator either establishes or reestablishes the stakes through a combination of a flashback and exposition.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025
The clothing characters wear can be created to deftly pass on information that cannot be left to dialogue or exposition.
—Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
At the same time, there’s way too much exposition and chatter in general.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exposition
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 15 May 2025
Depending on each viewer’s relationship to Elsbeth, To Catch a Predator either establishes or reestablishes the stakes through a combination of a flashback and exposition.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025
The clothing characters wear can be created to deftly pass on information that cannot be left to dialogue or exposition.
—Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
At the same time, there’s way too much exposition and chatter in general.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exposition
Cite this Entry
“Exposition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exposition. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
noun
ik-ˈspäz-ət-ər
expository
adjective
ik-ˈspäz-ə-ˌtōr-ē
-ˌtȯr-
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share