discovery

[dih-skuhv-uh-ree]

noun

plural

discoveries 

1. the act or process of seeing, finding, or gaining knowledge of something previously unknown, or an instance of this.

   The university is dedicated to the discovery, development, communication, and application of knowledge in a wide range of academic and professional fields.

   Shortly after the discovery of the tomb, many people associated with the expedition died.

2. something found, found out, noticed, or realized.

   In 2009, archaeologists in Rome unearthed a startling discovery: the remains of an elaborate banquet hall built during the reign of Nero.

3. Law.,  the compulsory exchange or disclosure of information, evidence, documents, etc., in preparation for a lawsuit or trial.

   The plaintiff filed a motion to compel discovery, but the defendants argued that some of the information was exempt.

4. U.S. Aerospace.,  none Discovery the third space shuttle to orbit and return to earth.

discovery

/ dɪˈskʌvərɪ /

noun

1. the act, process, or an instance of discovering

2. a person, place, or thing that has been discovered

3. law the compulsory disclosure by a party to an action of relevant documents in his possession

Other Word Forms

• nondiscovery noun
• prediscovery noun
• rediscovery noun
• self-discovery noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of discovery¹

First recorded in 1545–55; discover + -y ³

Example Sentences

The discovery highlights how closely the Red Sea's history is linked with global ocean change.

From Science Daily

A Plantlife spokesperson said the project made "multiple new discoveries" of the two species in cemeteries, gardens and farmland across the two national parks.

From BBC

In the words of the committee, "the discovery of macroscopic quantum mechanical tunnelling and energy quantisation in an electric circuit".

From BBC

Pretrial discovery included more than 50 depositions and the witness list contains nearly 80 names.

From Los Angeles Times

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2025 has been awarded for discoveries that explain how the immune system attacks hostile infections, but not the body's own cells.

From BBC

Related Words

• analysis 
• detection 
• diagnosis 
• disclosure 
• encounter 
• exploration 
• introduction 
• revelation 
• sighting 

When To Use

What does discovery mean?

A discovery is something that has been discovered—found or found out about for the first time.Discovery can also mean the process of discovering.Discoveries involve finding or gaining knowledge about something that was previously unknown or unseen. The word is especially associated with finding new places (as in the discovery of new lands) and scientific breakthroughs (as in the discovery of a cure).The word discovery is also used in a much more specific way in the context of law, in which it refers to the required disclosure of things like documents to the other party during a legal proceeding, as in These invoices were produced by client during discovery.Example: Ancient Oceanic peoples discovered new methods of seafaring that allowed their discovery and settlement of faraway islands.