exposure
/ɪkˈspəʊʒə
/ /ɛkˈspəʊʒə/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.
Synonyms
subjection, submission, vulnerability, laying open
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.
Synonyms
frostbite, cold, hypothermia
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.
Synonyms
introduction, presentation;
experience of, contact with, familiarity with, conversance/conversancy with, acquaintance with, awareness of, insight into
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.
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.
Synonyms
uncovering, revelation, showing, display, exhibition, disclosure, manifestation, unveiling, unmasking;
discovery, unearthing, rooting out, divulgence;
denunciation, condemnation;
detection, betrayal;
exposé, publication, publishing
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.
Synonyms
publicity, publicizing, advertising, advertisement;
public attention, public notice, public interest, the public eye, media interest/attention, the limelight;
dissemination, broadcasting, airing
informal hype
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.
3.1 [count 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.
4 [count 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.
Synonyms
outlook, aspect, view, frontage, direction;
position, setting, location
Origin
Early 17th century: from expose, on the pattern of words such as enclosure.