What does exposition mean?
Definitions for exposition
ˌɛk spəˈzɪʃ ənex·po·si·tion
This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word exposition.
Princeton's WordNet
exposition, expoundingnoun
a systematic interpretation or explanation (usually written) of a specific topic
exhibition, exposition, exponoun
a collection of things (goods or works of art etc.) for public display
expositionnoun
an account that sets forth the meaning or intent of a writing or discourse
"we would have understood the play better if there had been some initial exposition of the background"
expositionnoun
(music) the section of a movement (especially in sonata form) where the major musical themes first occur
Wiktionary
expositionnoun
The action of exposing something to something, such as skin to the sunlight.
expositionnoun
The action of putting something out to public view; for example in a display or show.
expositionnoun
The act of declaring or describing something through either speech or writing.
expositionnoun
The act of expulsion, or being expelled, from a place.
expositionnoun
An essay or speech in which any topic is discussed in detail.
expositionnoun
An opening section in fiction, including novel, play, and movie, by which background information about the characters, events, or setting is conveyed.
expositionnoun
The opening section of a fugue; the opening section of a movement in sonata form
Etymology: Adopted from the, itself an adaptation of the exponere.
Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
Expositionnoun
Etymology: from expose.
Water he chuses clear, light, without taste or smell; drawn not from snow, but from springs with an easterly exposition. John Arbuthnot, on Aliments.
The diversity of exposition of the several kitchens in this city, whereby some receive the rays of the sun sooner, and others later, will occasion great irregularity as to the time of dining. Arbuthnot.
My lord of York, it better shew’d with you,
When that your flock, assembled by the bell,
Encircled you, to hear with reverence
Your exposition on the holy text. William Shakespeare, Henry IV.You are a worthy judge;
You know the law: your exposition
Hath been most sound. William Shakespeare, Merch. of Venice.I have sometimes very boldly made such expositions of my authors, as no commentator will forgive me. Dryden.
ChatGPT
exposition
Exposition is a literary device used to introduce the background information about events, settings, characters, or other elements of a work to the audience or readers. It's often found at the beginning of a story, play, or film to provide necessary context. In broader context, it can also refer to a detailed explanation or interpretation of an idea, theory, or theme.
Webster Dictionary
Expositionnoun
the act of exposing or laying open; a setting out or displaying to public view
Expositionnoun
the act of expounding or of laying open the sense or meaning of an author, or a passage; explanation; interpretation; the sense put upon a passage; a law, or the like, by an interpreter; hence, a work containing explanations or interpretations; a commentary
Expositionnoun
situation or position with reference to direction of view or accessibility to influence of sun, wind, etc.; exposure; as, an easterly exposition; an exposition to the sun
Expositionnoun
a public exhibition or show, as of industrial and artistic productions; as, the Paris Exposition of 1878
Etymology: [L. expositio, fr. exponere, expositum: cf. F. exposition. See Expound.]
Wikidata
Exposition
The exposition is the portion of a story that introduces important background information to the audience; for example, information about the setting, events occurring before the main plot, characters' back stories, etc. Exposition can be conveyed through dialogues, through a character's thoughts, through background details, through in-universe media such as newspaper clippings, trial reports and letters, or through a narrator telling a back-story or by establishing scenes where a character is followed. Exposition is considered one of four rhetorical modes of discourse, along with argumentation, description, and narration.
The Foolish Dictionary, by Gideon Wurdz
EXPOSITION
An overgrown Department Store, usually opened a year or two behind time. It's never too late to spend. F A bird on the plate is worth two on the bonnet. FACE A fertile, open expanse, lying midway between collar button and scalp, and full of cheek, chin and chatter. The crop of the male face is hair, harvested daily by a lather, or allowed to run to mutton-chops, spinach or full lace curtains. The female face product is powder, whence the expression, "Shoot off your face." Each is supplied with lamps, snufflers and bread boxes.
Matched Categories
Usage in printed sourcesFrom:
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Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of exposition in Chaldean Numerology is: 1
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of exposition in Pythagorean Numerology is: 2
Examples of exposition in a Sentence
California Civil Code, "Maxims of Jurisprudence":
#3535. Contemporaneous exposition is in general the best.
The museum, founded in 1824, is filled with treasures found in digs commissioned by Savoy kings and completed with the finds of Italian Egyptologist Ernesto Schiaparelli. The vast holdings include a captivating statue of Ramses II, one of the world's most important papyrus collections and nearly the entire contents of an architect's tomb dating back well over 3,000 years. The large-scale renovations nearly doubled the space, allowing many artifacts to be taken out of storage and a more complete and modern exposition of those already on display. The museum remained open during the years of work, rotating closures of wings. `' It is a very important improvement from an archaeological and Egyptological point of view.
Popularity rank by frequency of use
References
Translations for exposition
From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary
- معرضArabic
- коментар, експозиция, излагане, описаниеBulgarian
- výklad, výstavaCzech
- Einführung, Ausstellung, ExpositionGerman
- έκθεση, επίδειξηGreek
- ekspozicioEsperanto
- exposiciónSpanish
- ekspositsioonEstonian
- esittely, esitelmä, altistaminenFinnish
- expositionFrench
- ceartúIrish
- एक्स्पज़िशनHindi
- kiállításHungarian
- expozoIdo
- mostra, esposizioneItalian
- 博覧会Japanese
- 博覽會, 박람회Korean
- изложба, излагање, изложувањеMacedonian
- tentoonstellingDutch
- utstillingNorwegian
- wystawaPolish
- exposiçãoPortuguese
- expunere, expozițieRomanian
- выставка, экспозицияRussian
- изложба, izložbaSerbo-Croatian
- expozíciaSlovak
- utställningSwedish
- งานแสดงThai
- sergileme, serim, yorum, beyan, teşhir, yorumlama, girişTurkish
- sự phơi, sự phơi bàyVietnamese
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"exposition." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 11 Feb. 2025. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/exposition>.
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