exposure

noun

ex·​po·​sure ik-ˈspō-zhər How to pronounce exposure (audio)
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

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

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'exposure.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of exposure was in 1605

Dictionary Entries Near exposure

Cite this Entry

“Exposure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exposure. Accessed 20 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

exposure

noun
ex·​po·​sure ik-ˈspō-zhər How to pronounce exposure (audio)
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 How to pronounce exposure (audio)
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 exposureKatie 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 fullyR. I. Mehr
also : the extent to which one is at risk

More from Merriam-Webster on exposure

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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