exposure

[ ik-spoh-zher ]

noun

1. the act of exposing, laying open, or uncovering:

   the sudden exposure of objects that were hidden under the blanket.

   Antonyms: concealment

2. the fact or state of being exposed:

   A bandage will avoid exposure of the wound.

3. disclosure, as of something private or secret:

   the exposure of their invasion plans.

   Synonyms: divulgement, exposé, revelation

4. an act or instance of revealing or unmasking, as an impostor, crime, or fraud:

   the exposure of graft and corruption.

5. presentation to view, especially in an open or public manner:

   His exposure of his anger shocked the company.

   Synonyms: display

6. indecent exposure ( def ):

   The suspect was arrested for exposure in public.

7. a laying open or subjecting to the action or influence of something:

   The exposure of his theories to ridicule destroyed his self-confidence.

8. the condition of being exposed to danger, harm, etc.:

   exposure to toxic mold;

   exposure to a deadly disease.

9. the condition of being exposed without protection to the effects of harsh weather, especially the cold:

   to suffer from exposure.

10. Photography.
    1. the act of presenting a photosensitive surface to rays of light.
    2. the total amount of light received by a photosensitive surface or an area of such a surface, expressed as the product of the degree of illumination and the period of illumination.
    3. the image resulting from the effects of light rays on a photosensitive surface.
11. situation with regard to sunlight or wind; aspect:

    a southern exposure.

12. a putting out or deserting, especially of a child, without shelter or protection; abandonment.
13. something exposed, as to view; an exposed surface:

    exposures of rock.

14. public appearance, notice, attention, mention, or discussion, especially in the media:

    great ways to gain exposure for your products on TV and on the internet.

15. a prominent, often overextended position or commitment, as in investment, that is considered precarious and risky:

    The bank was nervous about its exposure in Iran.

exposure

/ ɪkˈspəʊʒə /

noun

1. the act of exposing or the condition of being exposed
2. the position or outlook of a house, building, etc; aspect

   the bedroom has a southern exposure

3. lack of shelter from the weather, esp the cold

   to die of exposure

4. a surface that is exposed

   an exposure of granite

5. mountaineering the degree to which a climb, etc is exposed See exposed
6. photog
   1. the act of exposing a photographic film or plate to light, X-rays, etc
   2. an area on a film or plate that has been exposed to light, etc
   3. ( as modifier )

      exposure control

7. photog
   1. the intensity of light falling on a photographic film or plate multiplied by the time for which it is exposed
   2. a combination of lens aperture and shutter speed used in taking a photograph

      he used the wrong exposure

8. appearance or presentation before the public, as in a theatre, on television, or in films
9. See indecent exposure

Other Words From

• nonex·posure noun
• postex·posure adjective
• reex·posure noun
• self-ex·posure noun
• semi·ex·posure noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of exposure¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; expose + -ure

Example Sentences

Those “wasteful” studies were studying the effects of stress on rats—and how that stress might be increased if those rats had a lot of previous alcohol exposure.

From Slate

“I noticed that my kids just didn’t differentiate. It was just such a light bulb moment for me. This is how it should be. More exposure to the full spectrum of humanity.”

From Los Angeles Times

That might mean that exposure to Democratic organizing and advertising worked in the swing states where it was especially prevalent.

From Slate

Now they’ve made the jump to sponsoring meme pages, believing they can take the same tack: plaster your company logo on everything—like a player’s jersey or a stadium wall—and let the constant exposure become brand awareness.

From Slate

The other goes back to a person’s first influenza exposure.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• disclosure
• hazard
• liability
• publicity
• risk
• vulnerability