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

Examples of exposure in a Sentence

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 Desensitization through gradual exposure can also help. Jennifer Jay Palumbo, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024 Even low levels of lead exposure are known to be dangerous. Katherine Dillinger, CNN, 24 Oct. 2024 Miu Miu ranked in fourth place in terms of social media exposure during the spring 2025 Paris Fashion Week, according to Launchmetrics data. Tianwei Zhang, WWD, 23 Oct. 2024 Hammond has written and edited explainers on a number of health and wellness topics, including racial disparities in HIV treatment, the metabolic benefits of cold exposure, how the flu shot works, and solutions for seasonal dermatology woes. Monroe Hammond, EverydayHealth.com, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for exposure 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'exposure.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 3 Nov. 2024.

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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!