exposition

[ ek-spuh-zish-uhn ]

noun

1. a large-scale public exhibition or show, as of art or manufactured products:

   an exposition of 19th-century paintings; an automobile exposition.

   Synonyms: presentation, display, demonstration, exhibit

2. the act of expounding, setting forth, or explaining:

   the exposition of a point of view.

3. writing or speech primarily intended to convey information or to explain; a detailed statement or explanation; explanatory treatise:

   The students prepared expositions on familiar essay topics.

   Synonyms: elucidation, explication, exegesis, interpretation, critique, commentary

4. the act of presenting to view; display:

   The singer gave a splendid exposition of vocal talent.

5. exposure ( def 12 ).
6. the state of being uncovered, revealed, or otherwise exposed; exposure.
7. Music. the first section of a fugue or a sonata form, in which the principal themes normally are introduced.
8. (in a play, novel, etc.) dialogue, description, etc., that gives the audience or reader the background of the characters and the present situation.

exposition

/ ˌɛkspəˈzɪʃən /

noun

1. a systematic, usually written statement about, commentary on, or explanation of a specific subject
2. the act of expounding or setting forth information or a viewpoint
3. a large public exhibition, esp of industrial products or arts and crafts
4. the act of exposing or the state of being exposed
5. the part of a play, novel, etc, in which the theme and main characters are introduced
6. music the first statement of the subjects or themes of a movement in sonata form or a fugue
7. RC Church the exhibiting of the consecrated Eucharistic Host or a relic for public veneration

Derived Forms

• ˌexpoˈsitional, adjective

Other Words From

• expo·sition·al adjective
• preex·po·sition noun
• reex·po·sition noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of exposition¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English exposicioun, exposicyon, from Old French exposition, from Latin expositiōn- (stem of expositiō “exposure (of an infant to die); statement, description),” equivalent to exposit(us); + -iōn- ; expose, -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of exposition¹

C14: from Latin expositiō a setting forth, from expōnere to display; see exponent

Example Sentences

There was no pageantry or grand exposition behind its reason for being.

From Los Angeles Times

And because Murphy wants this to be easy for everyone, he gives us some exposition on just what the ever-lovin' heck is going on here by way of a signature Murphy ™CrazyMan.

From Salon

We dispatched a lot of exposition after Season 1, so Season 2 gave her more opportunities to play vulnerability.

From Los Angeles Times

“A big part of that was the fact this show came from an idea that really only had visual exposition. The short we made had no dialogue,” Bennett notes.

From Los Angeles Times

It doesn’t help that the show’s momentum can be slow, with too many dull exposition pitstops even as episodes clock in at a light 32 to 42 minutes.

From Seattle Times