What does "discovery" mean?
Something discovered.
Discovery
/dɪsˈkʌv(.ə).ɹi/ noun
noun ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Something discovered.
- Grammar: discovery is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: uncovering, apocalypse, ascertaining, baring.
- Useful contrasts: concealment, hiding, invention.
- Usage evidence: Most scientific breakthroughs are nothing else than the discovery of the obvious.
How to use "discovery"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "discovery" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "discovery" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "discovery" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "discovery" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "discovery" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "uncovering" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "discovery", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Something discovered. countable, uncountable
"This latest discovery should eventually lead to much better treatments for disease."
- 2 the act of discovering something wordnet
- 3 The discovering of new things. uncountable
"The purpose of the voyage was discovery."
- 4 a productive insight wordnet
- 5 An act of uncovering or revealing something; a revelation. archaic, countable
"Don Huberto actually fell in love with his kinswoman, and had presumption enough to declare his passion […] The lady being a woman of discretion, instead of making a discovery, which might have been attended with melancholy consequences, reprimanded her relation with gentleness […]"
Show 5 more definitions
- 6 something that is discovered wordnet
- 7 A pre-trial phase in which evidence is gathered. uncountable
"The prosecution moved to suppress certain items turned up during discovery."
- 8 (law) compulsory pretrial disclosure of documents relevant to a case; enables one side in a litigation to elicit information from the other side concerning the facts in the case wordnet
- 9 Materials revealed to the opposing party during the pre-trial phase in which evidence is gathered. uncountable
"The defense argued that the plaintiff's discovery was inadequate."
- 10 A discovered attack. countable, uncountable
"1700: "If I play f4, he can check me with ...Qd4, but then he has to move his Queen because he can easily lose it to a Bishop discovery on b5. He could also check me on c5 when his Queen might be safer. I could just move out of the way, though, and continue my attack.""
Example
"Most scientific breakthroughs are nothing else than the discovery of the obvious."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "discovery"?
Common synonyms include: uncovering, apocalypse, ascertaining, baring, bonus, breakthrough.
How do you use "discovery" in a sentence?
Most scientific breakthroughs are nothing else than the discovery of the obvious.
How do you pronounce "discovery"?
Pronounced /dɪsˈkʌv(.ə).ɹi/.
Etymology
from discover + -ery, on the pattern of the pair recover, recovery. Displaced native Old English onfundennes.