discovery
dih-SKUHV-ree
Discovery (noun) means the act of finding something previously unknown, or the thing found. Example: “The discovery of penicillin changed modern medicine.”
noun
1
The act of finding something previously unknown, or the thing found.
"The discovery of penicillin changed modern medicine."
"Their trip to Japan was full of small discoveries."
"Finding the old letters in the attic was an unexpected discovery."
2
The legal process in which parties to a lawsuit exchange evidence before trial.
"The documents were handed over during the discovery phase of the trial."
"Both sides must hand over emails during discovery before the hearing begins."
"The lawyers spent months in discovery, sorting through boxes of company records."
How to use discovery
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFinding something new — an idea, a place, a fact — or, in law, the pre-trial exchange of evidence.
Common pairings
scientific discovery
chance discovery
discovery phase
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Word forms
- Plural
- discoveries
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ of penicillin changed modern medicine.
Etymology
Formed from discover plus -ery, following the pattern of "recover"/"recovery."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for discovery
See all rhymes for discovery →Frequently asked questions
What does “discovery” mean?
The word “discovery” means the act of finding something previously unknown, or the thing found. In plain terms, finding something new — an idea, a place, a fact — or, in law, the pre-trial exchange of evidence.
How do you pronounce “discovery”?
“Discovery” is pronounced dih-SKUHV-ree (/dɪˈskʌv.ɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “discovery” in a sentence?
Here is “discovery” used in a sentence: “The discovery of penicillin changed modern medicine.”
What part of speech is “discovery”?
“Discovery” is a noun.
Is “discovery” a common word?
“Discovery” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “discovery” have?
“Discovery” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of finding something previously unknown, or the thing found.
What is the difference between discovery and invention?
A discovery is finding something that already existed but wasn't known, like gravity, a new species, or a distant galaxy. An invention is creating something entirely new that didn't exist before, like the light bulb or the telephone. You discover what was already there; you invent what you bring into being. The line can blur, but that's the core distinction.
What is an example of a discovery?
History is full of them. Alexander Fleming's discovery of penicillin came when he noticed mould killing bacteria in his lab. Explorers discovered new lands; astronomers discover planets and galaxies; scientists uncovered DNA's structure. A discovery can be a deliberate breakthrough after years of research or a lucky accident that no one saw coming.
What is the difference between discovery and exploration?
Exploration is the process of searching and investigating; discovery is the result, the moment you actually find something. You explore a cave, and you discover a hidden chamber inside it. Exploration is the journey and the effort; discovery is the reward at the end. One is the act of looking, the other of finding.
Can a discovery be made by accident?
Yes, many of the most famous ones were. Penicillin, X-rays, and microwave cooking all came from chance observations rather than planned searches. This is sometimes called serendipity: finding something valuable while looking for something else, or nothing in particular. A prepared, curious mind often turns a lucky accident into a real discovery.
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