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
Built in 1900 for Paris’ world’s fair exposition, the ornate gold clock presided over the Gare d’Orsay, the station on the banks of the Seine considered a technological marvel featuring the first trains powered by electricity.
—Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Nov. 2025
Fans will take comfort in these familiar models, but they may be shocked when the first few episodes cram in more dialogue than his previous films combined, while much of what happens — internally and externally — is underlined by dense, even repetitive exposition.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 24 Nov. 2025
The special also takes viewers to the world’s largest food and science exposition in Chicago, where ingredient makers pitch food companies on their latest innovations.
—Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 19 Nov. 2025
Chess bogs its narrator down with needless exposition and jokes more deserving of an eye roll than a laugh.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exposition
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Nov. 2025
Fans will take comfort in these familiar models, but they may be shocked when the first few episodes cram in more dialogue than his previous films combined, while much of what happens — internally and externally — is underlined by dense, even repetitive exposition.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 24 Nov. 2025
The special also takes viewers to the world’s largest food and science exposition in Chicago, where ingredient makers pitch food companies on their latest innovations.
—Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 19 Nov. 2025
Chess bogs its narrator down with needless exposition and jokes more deserving of an eye roll than a laugh.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Nov. 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 27 Nov. 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-
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