exposition

exposition — noun

1. A detailed account or piece of writing that makes a difficult idea, theory, or t

1.nounB2
Definition

A detailed account or piece of writing that makes a difficult idea, theory, or text easier to understand.

Example

Linh's book provides a clear exposition of the economic theories behind the 2008 financial crisis.

exposition of [topic] — noun followed by 'of'

The physics professor's exposition of quantum theory helped Sora finally grasp the key ideas.

Common collocations
  • clear exposition
  • detailed exposition
  • full exposition
  • brilliant exposition
  • written exposition
  • brief exposition
  • exposition of
Synonyms
  • explanation

    Everyday term; 'explanation' is less formal and shorter, while 'exposition' suggests a thorough, systematic treatment.

  • elucidation

    More literary; 'elucidation' emphasises making something clear that was previously obscure, while 'exposition' can also mean a written account.

  • interpretation

    Focuses on the writer's or speaker's personal understanding; 'exposition' is more neutral and fact-oriented.

Antonyms
  • obfuscation

    The act of making something unclear; directly opposite in purpose to an exposition.

Grammar Patterns

exposition of [topic]

provide / give / offer an exposition

Usage Note

Common in academic and formal writing. This sense of 'exposition' is almost always followed by 'of' to specify the topic being explained; 'exposition on' is occasionally found but less standard.

Common Mistakes

The lecturer gave an exposition for the theory of evolution.
The lecturer gave an exposition of the theory of evolution.
'exposition' is followed by 'of', not 'for' or 'to'.

2. A large public event where products, works of art, or other items are displayed

2.nounB1
Definition

A large public event where products, works of art, or other items are displayed for people to see or buy.

Example

The annual trade exposition drew thousands of visitors to the convention centre.

collocation: trade exposition / art exposition

Felix spent the afternoon at the photography exposition in the city gallery.

Common collocations
  • trade exposition
  • art exposition
  • agricultural exposition
  • industrial exposition
  • international exposition
  • annual exposition
Synonyms
  • exhibition

    More general and common; 'exhibition' works for any display, while 'exposition' leans towards large trade or industrial shows.

  • fair

    Often implies entertainment and commercial activity alongside displays; 'exposition' is more formal and focused on showing products or ideas.

  • show

    Informal and broad; 'show' lacks the grand-scale connotations of 'exposition'.

Grammar Patterns

trade / art / agricultural / industrial exposition

at / to / during the exposition

Usage Note

Often used for large-scale professional or trade events. 'Exposition' typically describes a more formal or grand event than the everyday word 'exhibition'.

Common Mistakes

I visited an exposition of old photographs at the local museum.
I visited an exhibition of old photographs at the local museum.
'exposition' is best reserved for large commercial or industrial events; 'exhibition' is more general.

3. The start of a musical work — for example, a sonata-form movement or a fugue — d

3.nounC1
Definition

The start of a musical work — for example, a sonata-form movement or a fugue — during which the composer introduces the key melodies for the first time.

Example

The music lecturer asked the class to identify the exposition in Mozart's Symphony No. 40.

technical term: exposition in sonata form

Aylin could hear the first theme clearly when the exposition began in the piano sonata.

Common collocations
  • the exposition section
  • first exposition
  • opening exposition
  • double exposition
  • in the exposition
  • the exposition of a sonata
  • the exposition of a fugue

Grammar Patterns

the exposition (of a piece)

in the exposition

Usage Note

A technical term in music theory. In sonata form, the exposition is the first of three main sections, followed by the development and the recapitulation. In a fugue, the exposition refers to the initial passage where each voice enters with the subject.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

An 'explanation' is the broadest and most everyday term — anyone can give an explanation of why a train is late or how a machine works. An 'exposition' is more formal and systematic, typically a written or spoken account that develops a complex idea in full. 'Elucidation' is a more literary word that stresses making something previously unclear become bright and understandable. 'Interpretation' differs in that it implies a personal perspective or judgment rather than a neutral unpacking of a topic. For example, a scientist might give an exposition of climate-change data, then offer her interpretation of what the data mean; later, a teacher might write an elucidation of the same topic for beginners.

explanation ↗elucidationinterpretation ↗

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

'Exposition' comes from Latin 'expositio' (meaning 'a setting forth or explanation'), formed from 'exponere' ('to put out, display, explain') — itself a combination of 'ex-' ('out') and 'ponere' ('to place'). The word entered English through Old French 'exposition' in the 14th century. The sense of a 'public exhibition' developed in the 19th century during the era of large industrial fairs, while the music-theory sense was established by the early 18th century as sonata form became a standard analytical framework.