noun

exposition

ek-spuh-ZIH-shuhn/ˌekspəˈzɪʃn/

An explanation that presents the information needed to understand something.

The museum exhibit offers an exposition of the water cycle through a diagram.

Science museum exhibit explains water cycle with simple diagram and attentive visitors, clear public presentation.

Etymology

exLatinforth

+positLatinto put, place

+ionLatinact or process

An exposition is a “setting forth”: information is laid out for others to understand. The same image supports both an explanation and a public presentation or display.

In context

MooLer270:26

it's not going to be very satisfying if we get 30 seconds of exposition from gadri on episode 7 to explain what she's just told us in episode three

EFAP #204 - The Rings of Power continues to exist - Breaking down episodes 3&4 w/The Little Platoon

More examples

The novel's opening exposition establishes the family's troubled history.
The sonata's exposition introduces two contrasting themes.
We compare two expositions of the same scientific theory.

Forms

exposition · expositions

expository adjective — Intended to explain or present information.

Similar words

explanation: More general; need not present a subject in detail.
account: Emphasizes describing events or facts rather than explaining concepts.