Definition of exposure in English:

exposure

noun

mass noun

1The state of having no protection from something harmful.
‘the dangers posed by exposure to asbestos’
- ‘Many experimental studies of plants and animals, and clinical studies of humans have shown the harmful effect of excessive exposure to UVB radiation.’
- ‘In order to protect children from exposure to harmful vapors, the toy industry has discontinued the use of PVC to produce plastics used in their products.’
- ‘It is nonsensical to claim that it is not the Government's role to intervene to protect people from harmful exposure to tobacco smoke.’
- ‘It is generally thought that where the total mass of dust inhaled is the same, intermittent exposure to dust is less harmful than continuous exposure.’
- ‘Blocking software does not protect children from exposure to a large volume of material that is harmful to minors within the legal definitions.’
- ‘The ozone layer is important to humans, who risk skin cancer and other health effects from high exposure to harmful ultraviolet rays.’
- ‘To limit your exposure to potentially harmful pesticides, antibiotics, and hormones, buy organic ingredients whenever possible.’
- ‘If you work out at home, especially in a humid area such as the basement, your exposure to harmful substances could be much worse.’
- ‘It is known that drinking too much water can be harmful, leading to exposure to toxins and pollutants in water.’
- ‘There are no known harmful effects from exposure to the magnetic field or radio waves used in making MRI images.’
- ‘Could it also be caused by exposure to radiation?’
- ‘The CT scanner will reduce patient exposure to radiation, offer more detailed images and improve the speed and accuracy of diagnosis.’
- ‘The worker must avoid areas of high irritant exposure and wear adequate respiratory protection.’
- ‘The incubation period between exposure and onset of fever ranged from two to 16 days.’
- ‘Occupational disease due to chemical exposure is a notifiable condition.’
- ‘To protect against all possible types of laser exposure, the physician and everyone in the room should wear protective laser glasses.’
- ‘The link between allergen exposure and asthma is not well understood.’
- ‘All employees subject to hepatitis B virus exposure must be offered vaccination against the virus.’
- ‘These actions limited the exposure of the aircrew and team to hostile fire.’
- ‘Pollution causes damage similar to sun exposure, leading to wrinkles and premature aging.’
subjection, submission, vulnerability, laying open
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1. 1.1A physical condition resulting from being outside in severe weather without adequate protection.
  ‘they were suffering from exposure’
  ‘A 14-year-old student was killed when he was hit by a falling tree and an elderly person died of exposure in the appalling weather conditions.’
  ‘The two most dangerous conditions that can result from cold-weather exposure are frostbite and hypothermia.’
  ‘Exposure has damaged the plaster ceilings, rotted joists, and peeled paint.’
  frostbite, cold, hypothermia
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2. 1.2Experience of something.
  ‘his exposure to the banking system’
  ‘The experiment facility is intended to provide experiments involving long-term exposure to the space environment.’
  ‘A key Chicago experience for him was exposure to modern art, especially the Impressionists.’
  ‘Work experience - any exposure to the industry is essential.’
  ‘Based on a heritage of art going back generations, the president and founder has a lifetime of experience and exposure to art.’
  ‘The book's perspective that leadership can be learned through exposure to the experiences of others comes through loud and clear.’
  ‘While many of the new recruits have ample flight experience, their exposure to English has been more limited, officials said.’
  ‘This experience fostered broad exposure to the nursing association congress and how it relates to the governance of the association.’
  ‘I need an experienced Linux Engineer with exposure to Linux operating systems and software.’
  ‘I don't want to sound ungrateful, but I thought I was not ready because I needed more experience and exposure to first-class cricket.’
  ‘Many students and faculty of agricultural colleges have little exposure to or experience with these new technologies.’
  ‘In the Army, most of these skills are learned through experience and exposure to tough environments.’
  ‘The study will help advance knowledge of gender differences in the experience of extended exposure to weightlessness.’
  ‘Military personnel were likely to experience repeated exposure to combat in a single enlistment.’
  ‘Finally, the schemes should make appropriate work experience and exposure to the profession in general available to the pupils.’
  ‘I have gone into their exposure to past experiences with crime where it occurred.’
  ‘Bulger should only get better with more experience and more exposure to a complex offense.’
  ‘Sometimes it can be from outside one's own experience, from exposure to other walks of life, or other art forms that can open a person's eyes and inspire them to that point.’
  ‘Some teachers do not share poetry in their classrooms because they too had negative experiences in their early exposure to the genre.’
  ‘The trainees also receive exposure to commanders with experience on operations as sub-unit and unit commanders.’
  ‘The experience with increasing exposure to competition and privatization is not limited to the transport sector.’
  introduction, presentation
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3. 1.3The action of placing oneself at risk of financial losses, e.g. through making loans or underwriting insurance.
  ‘New Delhi increased its exposure to hard loans’
  count noun ‘an $8-million loan exposure to the real estate industry’
  ‘Their $325 million loan exposure and all of the other debt in the balance sheet looked well covered by assets, earnings and cashflow.’
  ‘Regulators and rating agencies generally understand banks' retention of exposure to risk from loans they've securitized.’
  ‘Investors worldwide would rush to find safe ground, dumping bank stocks and pulling deposits out of any banks that had heavy exposure in Third World loans.’
  ‘The German bank is parceling out its loan, spreading its exposure.’
  ‘The bank has been criticised for its exposure on the loans made to the group.’
  ‘Chasing a buck gives you heartburn, sleepless nights - and increases your risk exposure.’
  ‘The purpose of the Security Roadmap is to outline a strategy for mitigating the financial exposure and risk your organization is facing and reduce it to an acceptable level.’
  ‘Institutions which believe this or estimate that they can be catalysts in changing national customer behaviour characteristics, do so at a high degree of financial risk and exposure.’
  ‘It claims that it would attract top international and US acts to Ireland for concerts, further decreasing the exchequer's financial exposure.’
  ‘Banks were required to observe loan ceilings and exposure limits.’
  ‘The financial exposure arising from the activities of the prolific abusers is staggering.’
  ‘The bank's growing anxiety at the time was explained by its financial exposure.’
  ‘The wise potential investor will adjust his or her financial exposure accordingly.’
  ‘The insurance company has been vague regarding its financial exposure, saying that it was too soon to quantify total losses.’
  ‘Economic exposure arises from the risks associated with the cost of labour and raw materials, the location of investments, and the pricing of the product itself.’
  ‘However, on average, risk-taking incentives at zombie firms tend to make the insurer's loss exposure grow over time.’
  ‘Growth of such gargantuan proportions, however, invites a corresponding magnification in risk exposure.’
  ‘The international investment bank has warned investors of the potential risk exposure arising from equities.’
  ‘Risk exposure continues to mushroom into the peak of an historic mortgage credit cycle.’
  ‘Because of the high-risk nature investors should limit these funds to a maximum exposure of 10 per cent for a minimum of three years.’
2The revelation of something secret, especially something embarrassing or damaging.
‘she took her life for fear of exposure as a spy’
- ‘He was blamed for this inappropriate exposure of secret material, and it had a detrimental impact on his reputation and mental state.’
- ‘Fearing exposure and embarrassment if he were to assume a conspicuous role at the new arts agency, he turned down the appointment.’
- ‘It's against this background that the novel explodes into murder, mayhem, sexual intrigue and the scandalous exposure of secrets in a splendid denouement.’
- ‘Since I have financial obligations which would be decimated by any exposure, why should I put my anonymity at risk now or in the near future?’
- ‘In response to the embarrassing exposure of its brutal tactics, the military is seeking to blame the soldiers concerned rather than allow anyone to recognise how typical this episode is.’
- ‘The ex-agent is currently living in exile in France, where he has fled to escape prosecution for his exposure of state secrets.’
- ‘There was a time when this exposure of ironies was revelatory.’
- ‘Initially the pickets were very optimistic that the dispute could be resolved quickly in the face of the embarrassing exposure of the employer's dirty tricks.’
- ‘Inevitably, exposure awaits, and often exposure which will damage innocent people who will be besmirched, so audacious is the extent of the crime.’
- ‘They rightly feared that the inevitable exposure of the lies used to justify it would expose the real lack of democracy that exists in the capitalist parliamentary system of government.’
- ‘Their inability to speak up for themselves, their numbing inhibitions, their fear of exposure is the psychological residue of this catharsis.’
- ‘Either of these would make excellent narrative fodder, but I fear exposure through specific disclosure and the spectre of losing my job.’
- ‘They can do that without fear of exposure, you see, because these houses/societies are very, very secret.’
- ‘For years, it was a one-way street for those who injected or ingested their drugs, the promise of victory far more tempting than the fear of exposure.’
- ‘Staff members are more likely to censor themselves for fear of later exposure.’
- ‘Their methods of cover-up and provocation indicate a consciousness of guilt and a fear of exposure.’
- ‘There's some brilliant stuff in there about social awkwardness, and the way we fear but crave exposure.’
- ‘Their exposure as unashamed party girls destroyed their reputation in hometown Rotherham.’
- ‘But within the C.I.A., the exposure of the undercover agent is now considered an even greater instance of treachery.’
uncovering, revelation, showing, display, exhibition, disclosure, manifestation, unveiling, unmasking
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1. 2.1The publicizing of information or an event.
  ‘scientific findings receive regular exposure in the media’
  ‘In return, they would receive considerable exposure at most Tour events throughout Europe along with other marketing advantages.’
  ‘This is a channel by film fans for film fans, credited with having brought many great films a wider audience, regular exposure and good publicity too.’
  ‘I am disappointed that the seminary succumbed to the lure of media exposure in orchestrating this event.’
  ‘He received national and worldwide exposure beyond the publicity gained locally.’
  ‘Do you feel the imbalance in terms of public interest/media exposure/sponsors involvement?’
  ‘As a result, much of the information that the public receives comes from the media, or second-hand information based on media exposure.’
  ‘Sadly the sport doesn't receive the media exposure it deserves.’
  ‘There's a lot of street-level talent that hasn't received media exposure yet.’
  ‘While it has received less public exposure due to its general anonymity, its treasures have not gone unnoticed by the scientific community.’
  ‘The formation of a global media network at the event will ensure remarkable exposure for the participants.’
  ‘The scandal brought about by public exposure has led to new, more competent leadership and even to accreditation, meaning that the lab now meets minimum standards.’
  ‘Furthermore, the site acts as a server for local rap and hip-hop artists to make their music available for public download, creating exposure for new talent and material.’
  ‘We're not going to comment as it will only give this publicity-seeking woman even more exposure.’
  ‘I find it unbelievable that our city leaders do not support an event that will bring exposure, people, fun and money to the city.’
  ‘As well as giving these artists much needed exposure, the event is a fundraiser for the arts centre.’
  ‘The wine industry rarely spends money for such direct exposure - for instance by advertising.’
  ‘The exposure these men get on the air is minimal; most of their commentaries are short enough to speak in 30 seconds.’
  ‘Your business can grow only with the exposure that comes through the word of mouth.’
  ‘When they do releases, they have four categories that affect how many theatres and what kind of exposure the film gets.’
  ‘These honors translate into higher box office receipts and greater exposure for our films.’
  publicity, publicizing, advertising, advertisement
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3The action of exposing a photographic film to light.
‘a camera which would give a picture immediately after exposure’
count noun ‘trial exposures made with a UV filter’
- ‘Any dust on the APHS film during exposure of the enlarged negative will show in the final print as a black spot.’
- ‘I prefer film camera to shoot night pictures with long exposure and low light.’
- ‘He calls himself an artist who uses photographic techniques like multi exposure and ‘sandwiches’ to make sense of what lies beyond.’
- ‘Among the earliest photographic experiments were attempts to use the camera to record a series of still images using a motorized drive to move the film after each exposure.’
- ‘Start with the enlarger lens at f / 8 and make a series of exposures at 1-second intervals.’
1. 3.1count noun The quantity of light reaching a photographic film, as determined by shutter speed and lens aperture.
  ‘an exposure of 0.5 seconds at f/5.6’
  ‘As he experimented with special lenses and different exposures and paper, his photography became increasingly art-inspired.’
  ‘She will spend a day going through exposure, shutter speed, depth of field and how they are related.’
  ‘For about five years, she devoted considerable energy to photography, meticulously recording exposures and light levels as she became conversant with the medium.’
  ‘Automatic flash units can be used with any camera and have front-mounted sensors that set exposures by measuring the flash bouncing back from the subject.’
  ‘Later he said if he had known how dark the foreground area was he would have given the whole negative another stop of exposure.’
4count noun The direction in which a building faces; an outlook.
‘the exposure is perfect—a gentle slope to the south-west’
- ‘South and west exposures dry out more quickly, making these areas ideal for your most drought-and heat-tolerant plants.’
- ‘It seems the trees in my neighbor's yard stood an excellent chance of blocking the television signal, which needs a southwestern exposure in the Northeast.’
- ‘Lower dry biomass at the west and southwest exposures could be associated with higher respiration rates and earlier and longer stomatal closure in response to plant water deficits.’
- ‘Rooms with windows facing south get the most direct sunlight, whereas rooms with northern exposures get none, and the same color might look much different in one than the other.’
- ‘Vines are planted on high clay-limestone slopes, many of which enjoy a favourable west south west exposure.’
- ‘In the south, keep pots cool, positioned out of the sun, preferably with a northern exposure.’
- ‘Buildings that have a large percentage of glass often have problems with overheating in perimeter spaces, especially those with southern and western exposures.’
- ‘Southern and eastern exposures are the most desirable.’
- ‘Southern and western exposures are complemented by cool colors.’
- ‘Turn the plan slightly another way and you get southern exposures for the main living areas of the house.’
- ‘Good sites include near the eaves of a building with southern exposure and close to water.’
- ‘Plant this feathery-leaf palm in a well-draining, organically enriched sandy soil with a southern exposure or in a courtyard.’
- ‘He advises gardeners to place their butterfly boxes about four feet above ground and making sure they have a southern exposure in the wintertime.’
- ‘Where earliness is not so important, it is safer to choose a northern exposure that will retard flowering and lessen the danger from late frosts.’
- ‘Our windows have a southern exposure and get very warm during July.’
- ‘Where one is willing to risk frost injury for the sake of exceptionally early yields, one should favor a site with southern exposure and a light soil.’
- ‘Keeping the bulb growing indoors over summer is also an option: kept in bright light, southern exposure is best.’
outlook, aspect, view, frontage, direction
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Origin

Early 17th century from expose, on the pattern of words such as enclosure.

Pronunciation

exposure

/ɪkˈspəʊʒə/

/ɛkˈspəʊʒə/