Definition of exposition
1 : a setting forth of the meaning or purpose (as of a writing)
2a : discourse or an example of it designed to convey information or explain what is difficult to understandb (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
From the M-W Editors
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 of exposition from the Web
-
But it is hobbled by a tiresome load of exposition, spurts of tedium, some near-impenetrable accents and caricatures of those at the bottom of the class heap Wimsey strides atop.
-
It was relocated briefly to the Panama-California Exposition fairgrounds in 1915 and moved permanently to the park in 1922.
-
But things change (and the pace picks up considerably from its exposition-heavy, conflict-free intro) when Capt.
-
Salute to military at fair Monday is Military Appreciation Day at the Sacramento County Fair at Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd.
-
The script needs a whole lot of exposition, which is sorely lacking.
-
This is at once a thriller, a story of middle-aged angst, an exposition of international law and an exploration of an intensely serious and very nasty episode in recent history.
-
A conference and exposition, New Media's target audience consists of business and technical executives, interactive information providers, distributors, and professional users.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'exposition'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of exposition
see exposit
Other Performing Arts Terms
EXPOSITION Defined for English Language Learners
exposition
playDefinition of exposition for English Language Learners
-
: the act of explaining something : clear explanation
-
: a public show or exhibition
EXPOSITION Defined for Kids
exposition
playDefinition of exposition for Students
1 : an explanation of something
2 : a public exhibition
Learn More about exposition
-
See words that rhyme with exposition Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for exposition Spanish Central: Translation of exposition Nglish: Translation of exposition for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of exposition for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up exposition? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!