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
But the major platform of the Oscars also brings another level of exposition, which is not always beneficial for a documentary director trying to move stealthily and precisely.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026
The burden of explaining how the hell that happened is on head housekeeper Lily (Arquette) and her husband Ray (Paterson Joseph), both of whom have a commanding enough screen presence to make the exposition bearable.
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 19 Mar. 2026
Cat's lack of understanding (and common sense) is the jumping-off point for a ton of jokes, but also serves as a great vehicle for exposition, as the other boys from the Dwarf explain events to the loveable fool.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 14 Mar. 2026
What fear of the dump translates to in practice is a broader resistance to the work of exposition in a story or novel.
—Literary Hub, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for exposition
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Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026
The burden of explaining how the hell that happened is on head housekeeper Lily (Arquette) and her husband Ray (Paterson Joseph), both of whom have a commanding enough screen presence to make the exposition bearable.
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 19 Mar. 2026
Cat's lack of understanding (and common sense) is the jumping-off point for a ton of jokes, but also serves as a great vehicle for exposition, as the other boys from the Dwarf explain events to the loveable fool.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 14 Mar. 2026
What fear of the dump translates to in practice is a broader resistance to the work of exposition in a story or novel.
—Literary Hub, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for exposition
Cite this Entry
“Exposition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exposition. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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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