exposition — English Dictionary

Noun

1. The action of exposing something to something, such as skin to the sunlight.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

2. The act or process of declaring or describing something through either speech or writing, in nonfiction or in fiction; the portions and aspects of a piece of writing that exist mainly to describe or explain a set of things (such as, in fiction, the setting, characters and other non-plot elements).

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Broader terms

   explanation

   Examples

   This essay has too much exposition in it.

   My reviewer said she couldn't picture the setting for my story, so I'm improving the exposition.

   More examples (1)

   The articles published were all by professed Marxists, but in the first few years readers were given sound information on contemporary philosophy outside Russia, for example, that of Husserl, and the general level of exposition was a great deal higher than in the standard philosophical writings of later years.

3. The act of expulsion, or being expelled, from a place.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Obsolete
   • Uncountable

4. An exhibition, especially of goods, artwork or cultural displays to the public.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   The first prototype was unveiled at an exposition.

5. An essay or speech in which any topic is discussed in detail.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   I turned my research into an exposition on the traditional music of Borneo.

6. An opening section in fiction, in which background information about the characters, events or setting is conveyed.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

7. The opening section of a movement in sonata form; the opening section of a fugue.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

8. The abandonment of an unwanted child.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

Noun

1. a systematic interpretation or explanation (usually written) of a specific topic

   Synonyms

   expounding

   Broader terms

   interpretation

2. a collection of things (goods or works of art etc.) for public display

   Synonyms

   exhibitionexpo

   Broader terms

   collectionaggregationaccumulationassemblage

3. an account that sets forth the meaning or intent of a writing or discourse

   Broader terms

   explanationaccount

   Examples

   we would have understood the play better if there had been some initial exposition of the background

4. (music) the section of a movement (especially in sonata form) where the major musical themes first occur

   Broader terms

   sectionsubdivision