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
Consider the heavy-handed exposition of that scene in contrast to Yoseb watching quietly as Kyunghee washes Kim’s bloodied shirt.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2024
Smaller touches say much more than the big swings: Destiny narrowing her eyes at a stack of Wheaties boxes in the grocery store, all adorned with male Olympians, says far more than some of the more blunt exposition that attempts to place Shields as emblematic of all female athletes.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2024
When police dialogue becomes too much about exposition, as murder mysteries tend to be guilty of, that is a trap.
—Mikey O'Connell, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Sep. 2024
This is the second year that Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds has held its exposition of produce displays, seeds, speakers and seed exchanges in Ventura, and based on attendance from last year, plan to arrive early and expect a crowd.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for exposition 
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Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2024
Smaller touches say much more than the big swings: Destiny narrowing her eyes at a stack of Wheaties boxes in the grocery store, all adorned with male Olympians, says far more than some of the more blunt exposition that attempts to place Shields as emblematic of all female athletes.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2024
When police dialogue becomes too much about exposition, as murder mysteries tend to be guilty of, that is a trap.
—Mikey O'Connell, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Sep. 2024
This is the second year that Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds has held its exposition of produce displays, seeds, speakers and seed exchanges in Ventura, and based on attendance from last year, plan to arrive early and expect a crowd.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for exposition
Dictionary Entries Near exposition
Cite this Entry
“Exposition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exposition. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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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