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
In those moments, characters have good reason to accidentally reveal themselves, in a seamless way that a lot of exposition can’t get at.
—Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
In 2004, the Commercial Service invited American companies selling security technologies and equipment to show off their products at a Chinese security exposition.
—Byron Tau, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2025
While the Welcome to Derry premiere is heavy on exposition, these moments of ghoulish original horror are striking.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Oct. 2025
The Hwasong-11Ma was first seen at a military exposition in Pyongyang a week ago.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 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.
Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
In 2004, the Commercial Service invited American companies selling security technologies and equipment to show off their products at a Chinese security exposition.
—Byron Tau, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2025
While the Welcome to Derry premiere is heavy on exposition, these moments of ghoulish original horror are striking.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Oct. 2025
The Hwasong-11Ma was first seen at a military exposition in Pyongyang a week ago.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 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 6 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-
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share