exposure

noun

ex·​po·​sure ik-ˈspō-zhər 

1

: the fact or condition of being exposed: such as

a

: the condition of being presented to view or made known

a politician seeks a lot of exposure

b

: the condition of being unprotected especially from severe weather

died of exposure

c

: the condition of being subject to some effect or influence

risk exposure to the flu

d

: the condition of being at risk of financial loss

minimizes your exposure to market fluctuations

also : an amount at risk

2

: the act or an instance of exposing: such as

a

: disclosure of something secret

tried to prevent exposure of their past

b

: the treating of sensitized material (such as film) to controlled amounts of radiant energy

also : the amount of such energy or length of such treatment

a 3-second exposure

3

a

: the manner of being exposed

b

: the position (as of a house) with respect to weather influences or compass points

a room with a southern exposure

4

: a piece or section of sensitized material (such as film) on which an exposure is or can be made

36 exposures per roll

Synonyms

• liability
• openness
• vulnerability

Example Sentences

children's exposure to violence on television

He risks exposure to ridicule by saying such things in public.

The candidates are competing for television exposure.

Recent Examples on the Web

Air monitoring consistently shows long-term chloroprene concentrations in the air near Denka's LaPlace plant as high as 15 times the levels recommended for a 70-year exposure to the chemical, the complaint says. —Michael Phillis And Matthew Daly, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2023

Air monitoring consistently shows long-term chloroprene concentrations in the air near Denka’s LaPlace plant as high as 15 times the levels recommended for a 70-year exposure to the chemical, the complaint says. —Michael Phillis, Fortune, 1 Mar. 2023

The fire department’s hazmat team returned to evaluate the building for potential substance exposure. —Doha Madani, NBC News, 1 Mar. 2023

Overall, three-layer designs are more durable and built for long-term exposure to extreme conditions. —Déjà Leonard, Popular Mechanics, 24 Feb. 2023

The residences will feature organic materials and seamlessly integrate the indoors and outdoors for maximum exposure to the surrounding ecologically rich environment. —Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 20 Feb. 2023

The bodysuit should cover the entire body, including the ankles, for zero skin exposure. —Angela Belt, House Beautiful, 9 Feb. 2023

The fire department said at the time four people, including three that lived in the same household, had to be taken to the hospital to be treated for carbon monoxide exposure. —Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez, The Courier-Journal, 7 Feb. 2023

Rotate the pots every two to three weeks for more even exposure to sunlight and more upright growth. —Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2023

See More

Word History

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing exposure

• exposure meter
• re-exposure
• indecent exposure
• time exposure
• pre-exposure
• pre-exposure prophylaxis

• exposure meter
• re-exposure
• indecent exposure
• time exposure
• pre-exposure
• pre-exposure prophylaxis

Kids Definition

exposure

noun

ex·​po·​sure ik-ˈspō-zhər 

1

: the fact or condition of being exposed

exposure to cold

2

a

: the act or an instance of exposing

b

: the act of letting light expose photographic film

also : the amount or length of time of such exposure

3

: a position with respect to direction

a southern exposure

4

: a section of a film for a single picture

36 exposures per roll of film

Medical Definition

exposure

noun

ex·​po·​sure ik-ˈspō-zhər 

1

: the fact or condition of being exposed: as

a

: the condition of being unprotected especially from severe weather

the hiker died of exposure after becoming lost in the snowstorm

b

: the condition of being subject to some detrimental effect or harmful condition

repeated exposure to bronchial irritants

risk exposure to the flu

benign skin discolorations caused by sun exposure

—Katie Tyndall

2

: the act or an instance of exposing see indecent exposure

Legal Definition

exposure

noun

ex·​po·​sure

1

: the fact or condition of being exposed

also : the possibility of loss caused by an outside source

—used in insurance

2

: the act or an instance of exposing

3

a

: something that exposes someone or something

b

: something (as a condition, situation, or action) that creates a risk of financial loss especially for which one may be insured

two forms of insurance are needed to cover the exposure fully

—R. I. Mehr

also : the extent to which one is at risk