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
The Rani teleports over to share some exposition (and also to declare that Mel thinks of her every night.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 1 June 2025
In recent times, the saying has become little more than lazy exposition in Hollywood hero monologues rather than a nugget of wisdom that American politicians and voters genuinely honor.
—Clare Morell, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
In between, arguments are made and relationships are built, but the sometimes laborious work of exposition and table-setting can become effervescent when delivered at Sherman-Palladino’s melodic meter.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 24 Apr. 2025
There are some things which cannot be given away in dialogue, that cannot come from exposition without risking suspension of disbelief, of losing the audience.
—Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for exposition
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Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 1 June 2025
In recent times, the saying has become little more than lazy exposition in Hollywood hero monologues rather than a nugget of wisdom that American politicians and voters genuinely honor.
—Clare Morell, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
In between, arguments are made and relationships are built, but the sometimes laborious work of exposition and table-setting can become effervescent when delivered at Sherman-Palladino’s melodic meter.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 24 Apr. 2025
There are some things which cannot be given away in dialogue, that cannot come from exposition without risking suspension of disbelief, of losing the audience.
—Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 25 May 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 15 Jun. 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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