# discovery

/ˌdɪsˈkəvɹi/ (US) · /dɪskˈʌvəɹi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/discovery
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. finding something new

noun · CEFR A2

the act of finding something that was not known before.

For teachers: the act of finding or uncovering something previously unknown or hidden.

- The discovery of fire changed the way early humans lived.
- The discovery of the ancient ruins was entirely accidental, occurring during a routine survey for a new highway project.

### 2. the thing found

noun · CEFR A2

a person or thing that has been found.

For teachers: a person, place, or thing that has been discovered, often implying value or significance.

- The scientists shared their latest discovery with the world.
- The gallery owner considered the young painter a major discovery, predicting she would become a leading figure in modern art.

### 3. legal evidence sharing

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical · Formal

the process where lawyers share information and evidence before a trial starts.

For teachers: the pre-trial phase in which parties to a lawsuit are required to disclose relevant evidence to one another.

- The lawyers spent months on discovery, looking through thousands of emails.
- During the discovery phase, the defence requested all internal correspondence related to the safety testing of the vehicle.

Usage: Often used as an uncountable noun in this context.

## Examples

- The discovery of gold changed the history of the region.
- Scientists made a major discovery when they found a new species of fish living deep in the ocean.
- While the initial discovery of the ruins was accidental, the subsequent archaeological excavation revealed a complex urban society that had remained hidden for over a millennium.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.