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

expositional

ˌek-spə-ˈzi-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms of exposition

• exhibit
• exhibition
• display

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

Recent Examples on the Web

This is Kubrick’s modus operandi throughout the film, setting up scenes where furniture moves from shot to shot, wall decorations change, and there are further schisms between Ullman’s exposition and the reality that transpires. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2026

The exposition center’s The Cove venue will hold the festival, which is slated to include traditional German and modern music, Oktoberfest food and beer, food trucks, on-stage competitions, lawn games and other family-friendly activities. — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026

The pilot for Eternally Yours wastes its story, larding up on exposition that definitely could have been distributed throughout an entire season. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026

This is the man who’s going to give the exposition explaining what the general American public feels about these guys. — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see exposit

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for exposition

• abolition
• acquisition
• admonition
• ammunition
• apparition
• apposition
• coalition
• competition
• composition
• definition
• deglutition
• demolition

Kids 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

ik-ˈspäz-ət-ər

noun

expository

ik-ˈspäz-ə-ˌtōr-ē, 

-ˌtȯr-

adjective