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
Sharper writing, a tighter edit and stronger supporting actors would’ve eliminated the extraneous exposition burdening the first three chapters while emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 14 July 2024
As a pre-titles sequence, these establishing scenes are brisk and involving, dispensing with needless exposition.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 June 2024
The exposition, taking place under one of the country’s more revered presidents, Dumarsais Estimé, celebrated the founding of Port-au-Prince in 1749.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 20 June 2024
Despite the book’s title, Schneier’s exposition on the Goliath is missing a David.
—Bhaskar Chakravorti, Foreign Affairs, 7 July 2015
See all Example Sentences for exposition 
Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 14 July 2024
As a pre-titles sequence, these establishing scenes are brisk and involving, dispensing with needless exposition.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 June 2024
The exposition, taking place under one of the country’s more revered presidents, Dumarsais Estimé, celebrated the founding of Port-au-Prince in 1749.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 20 June 2024
Despite the book’s title, Schneier’s exposition on the Goliath is missing a David.
—Bhaskar Chakravorti, Foreign Affairs, 7 July 2015
See all Example Sentences for exposition
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'exposition.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near exposition
Cite this Entry
“Exposition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exposition. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.
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-
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