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

• display
• exhibit
• exhibition
• expo
• fair
• 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

Recent Examples on the Web

Slow and unsteady Karma: The Dark World is a slow game, both in its exposition and its occasionally frustrating slow walking speed. —Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025

Time after time, your off-brand chocobo will deliver you to a monster's lair for a perfunctory pummeling while your companions spout exposition. —James Perkins Mastromarino, NPR, 14 Mar. 2025

The real-time feel of Adolescence means there are no flashbacks or exposition, and the audience learns everything just as the investigators and Jamie's family do. —Jessica Sager, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025

Working mostly in grand scale, in estates in Palm Beach or tropical getaways in the Bahamas or hotels like the Four Seasons Surfside in Miami, Fernando’s gardens are expositions on order, balance and harmony. —Blue Carreon, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025

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