noun

exposition

ehks-puh-ZIH-shuhn

noun

A large public exhibition, often of art, products, or culture.

"The World's Fair was one of the great expositions of the twentieth century."

A clear, detailed explanation of a subject, especially in writing or speech.

"The professor's exposition of the theory took up the whole lecture."

The background information given at the start of a story, explaining characters, setting, or events.

"The film's opening scenes are pure exposition, setting up the family history."

How to Use Exposition

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither a public exhibition, or a detailed explanation — including the background-setting part of a story.

Common pairings

clumsy exposition exposition dump an art exposition

expositions plural

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The World's Fair was one of the great _____ of the twentieth century.

From Old French esposicion, from Latin expositiō, based on expōnere, "to put forth" or explain.

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