discovery

noun

dis·​cov·​ery di-ˈskə-v(ə-)rē How to pronounce discovery (audio)
plural discoveries
1
a
: 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

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.
Recent Examples on the Web The twosome meet up with Ayaka’s eccentric friends at a sushi restaurant (the funniest sequence) and then stumble upon a game-changing discovery. Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2024 Six decades later, Lilly’s grandson in San Diego made a shocking discovery: the painting had resurfaced in Europe, tied to the scion of a German industrialist family that helped finance Adolf Hitler’s rise to power. Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2024 In a 2022 article about the discovery of a nest in Milwaukee County, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel outdoors editor Paul A. Smith included rules and laws cited by officials who continue to support bald eagle population recovery. Jim Riccioli, Journal Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2024 He was scheduled to be arraigned Monday before Circuit Judge Alberto Milian, but the matter was rescheduled to Tuesday morning because the prosecution did not provide all redacted discovery to the defense. Clara-Sophia Daly, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2024 The recent discoveries shed new light on Klosterøy’s layered history. Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Mar. 2024 The discovery reshapes their narrative, with its loaded truth about white men’s appropriation of indigenous culture and representation. Annika Pham, Variety, 1 Mar. 2024 The department is in contact with Autumn’s family regarding the discovery. Samira Asma-Sadeque, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024 The ferrets were believed to be completely extinct in the 1970s until a farm dog named Shep made a discovery in 1981. Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'discovery.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of discovery was in 1529

Dictionary Entries Near discovery

Cite this Entry

“Discovery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discovery. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

discovery

noun
dis·​cov·​ery dis-ˈkəv-(ə-)rē How to pronounce discovery (audio)
plural discoveries
1
: the act or process of discovering
2
: something discovered

Legal Definition

discovery

noun
dis·​cov·​ery
plural discoveries
1
: the act or process of discovering
2
: something discovered
applied for a patent for the discovery
3
a
: 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 accessibleFederal 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.

More from Merriam-Webster on discovery

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