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discovery

noun
dis·​cov·​ery | \ di-ˈskə-v(ə-)rē How to pronounce discovery (audio) \
plural discoveries

Definition of discovery

1a : the act or process of discovering the discovery of a lost city
b(1) archaic : disclosure
(2) obsolete : display
c obsolete : exploration
2 : something discovered
3 : the usually pretrial disclosure of pertinent facts or documents by one or both parties to a legal action or proceeding
Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about discovery

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Examples of discovery in a Sentence

Scientists announced the discovery of a new species of plant. Her research led to a number of important discoveries about the disease. Reporters made the shocking discovery that the governor had been unfaithful to his wife. the discovery of pollution in the river the discovery of a talented musician sailors during the age of discovery It was one of the most important discoveries in the history of medicine.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 After 14 months of construction, $5 million spent and the discovery of a 90-year-old mystery box, the Point Reyes Lighthouse in West Marin County is projected to reopen in October, confirmed the National Park Service. — Tom Stienstra, SFChronicle.com, "Point Reyes Lighthouse’s rebirth: Mystery solved, $5 million renovation done," 31 Aug. 2019 When devout Hindus refused to be injected with cow products, the impasse was broken by the lucky discovery of an ancient Sanskrit text which showed that, incredibly, Hindu physicians had discovered vaccination centuries earlier. — The Economist, "The original anti-vaxxers," 30 Aug. 2019 Part 2 highlights the surprising discovery of vibrant coral communities thriving in the seemingly inhospitable deep. — Rebecca Asoulin, The Christian Science Monitor, "Wait, fish make noise? Meet the ‘fish listeners.’ (audio)," 29 Aug. 2019 San Diego police are investigating the discovery of two bullet holes found this week at Temple Emanu-El in Del Cerro, but so far have not classified the shooting at the synagogue as a hate crime. — Gary Warth, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Bullet holes discovered at synagogue building," 28 Aug. 2019 The discovery of the iron-laden dust could help scientists form a clearer timeline of our solar system. — Morgan Krakow, Anchorage Daily News, "Supernova remnants found in Antarctic could be 20 million years old," 28 Aug. 2019 The discovery of mystery pointy and lengthened skulls in Croatia is shedding new light on the region’s strange ancient rituals. — Fox News, "Mysterious pointy and lengthened skulls discovery sheds new light on strange ancient rituals," 24 Aug. 2019 The instruments of trade and finance are inventions, in the same way that creations of art and discoveries of science are inventions—products of the human imagination. — Adam Lashinsky, Fortune, "How Target Used Less Tech to Succeed—Data Sheet," 22 Aug. 2019 After all, having to stay away from gin and wine for close to a year demands the discovery of new sorts of excitement, right? — Anna Ben Yehuda Rahmanan, SELF, "I'm Pregnant And Want to Wear Skintight Clothes and Nothing Else," 20 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'discovery.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of discovery

1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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More Definitions for discovery

discovery

noun
How to pronounce discovery (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of discovery

: the act of finding or learning something for the first time : the act of discovering something
: something seen or learned for the first time : something discovered

See the full definition for discovery in the English Language Learners Dictionary

discovery

noun
dis·​cov·​ery | \ di-ˈskəv-ə-rē How to pronounce discovery (audio) , -ˈskəv-rē\
plural discoveries

Kids Definition of discovery

1 : an act of finding out or learning of for the first time Experiments led to their discovery of the cure.
2 : something found or learned of for the first time a recent discovery

discovery

noun
dis·​cov·​ery
plural discoveries

Legal Definition of discovery

1 : the act or process of discovering
2 : something discovered applied for a patent for the discovery
3a : the methods used by parties to a civil or criminal action to obtain information held by the other party that is relevant to the action — see also deposition, interrogatory, request for production
b : the disclosure of information held by the opposing party in an action a party need not provide discovery of electronically stored information…not reasonably accessible — Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 26(b)(2)(B) — see also privilege, work product doctrine

Note: Discovery allowed under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26 is far-reaching. With some exceptions, a party may obtain discovery of any relevant information as long as it is not privileged, including information that itself would not be admissible at trial but that is likely to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence. Criminal discovery, however, has been more controversial. Under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 16, a defendant may obtain discovery of his or her own written or recorded statements or confessions, results of examinations and tests, his or her recorded testimony before a grand jury, and testimony to be given by the prosecution's expert witnesses. A defendant may also inspect the prosecution's books, documents, photographs, objects, and other items of evidence. Under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 12.1, the prosecution must also disclose the names of witnesses that will be called to rebut the defendant's alibi defense. The defendant must also permit the prosecution to inspect books, documents, photographs, and objects and must disclose reports of examinations or tests and testimony of expert witnesses.

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