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 Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more. Kate Golembiewski, CNN, 16 Mar. 2024 The Lake County judge overseeing the case ruled last fall that retailers and manufacturers who are defendants in the case must comply with the city’s requests to turn over decades of internal records as part of a legal process known as discovery. The Indianapolis Star, 15 Mar. 2024 There were just days left to process a batch of federal financial aid applications when Education Department officials made a fateful discovery: 70,000 emails from students all over the country, containing reams of essential data. Zach Montague, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2024 The judge first set a hearing on Peterson's motion to seal on April 16, followed by the DNA hearing on May 29 and July 15 for discovery. Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 13 Mar. 2024 The confidentiality of their discovery — and its location — was paramount. Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024 Those discoveries—and her determination that multiple boosters were needed for full immunity—were crucial to facilitating Salk’s development of the inactivated virus vaccine that still is in use today, some 70 years later. Alicia Ault, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Mar. 2024 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

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 29 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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