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
Britton’s hand wringing leads to an explosion of exposition which sets up a finale of divine intervention and forgiveness.
—Nicholas Bell, SPIN, 17 Dec. 2024
Kurzel, the director, recalls watching news coverage of the January 6 insurrection and remarking on the gallows erected outside the Capitol building—a drawing of which features in the book and the exposition scene with law.
—Ali Winston, WIRED, 6 Dec. 2024
Bits were acute — the repeat of the first-movement exposition returned to the material with a ghostlier sheen — but full movements lacked through-lines of energy, focus and poignancy; the climaxes didn’t feel earned.
—Zachary Woolfe, New York Times, 24 Nov. 2024
The filing details the company's corporate structure, business operations, and plans for future expansion in cultural tourism and arts expositions.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 25 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for exposition 
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Nicholas Bell, SPIN, 17 Dec. 2024
Kurzel, the director, recalls watching news coverage of the January 6 insurrection and remarking on the gallows erected outside the Capitol building—a drawing of which features in the book and the exposition scene with law.
—Ali Winston, WIRED, 6 Dec. 2024
Bits were acute — the repeat of the first-movement exposition returned to the material with a ghostlier sheen — but full movements lacked through-lines of energy, focus and poignancy; the climaxes didn’t feel earned.
—Zachary Woolfe, New York Times, 24 Nov. 2024
The filing details the company's corporate structure, business operations, and plans for future expansion in cultural tourism and arts expositions.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 25 Nov. 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 22 Dec. 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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