infodump

American  

[in-foh-duhmp] / ˈɪn foʊˌdʌmp /

Or info dump

noun

1. a large quantity of backstory, or background information, supplied at once, often as a narrative at the beginning of a story, film, etc..

   The first eight pages are heavy with an infodump about Harry’s childhood in Iceland.

---

verb (used with object)

1. to provide a large quantity of (backstory) at once.

   I like when the background is fed to me gradually, rather than just infodumped.

2. to provide (a reader, viewer, etc.) with a large quantity of backstory at once.

   If you’re going to infodump us, at least make it interesting.

verb (used without object)

1. to provide a large quantity of backstory at once.

   In the rewrite, the author infodumps, which works well for this story.

Etymology

Origin of infodump

First recorded in 1975–80; info ( def. ) + dump ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

infodump

Last month’s infodump of an Armed Forces report listing 209 sightings of unidentified objects was announced with a presidential tweet that “the people can decide for themselves.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 10, 2026

Because that's all the conference call is - an excuse to infodump the Trenzalore material again at a nice, slow speed.

From Slate ● May 19, 2013