dis ‧ cov ‧ e ‧ ry W3 /dɪsˈkʌv ə ri/ BrE AmE noun ( plural discoveries )
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ discoverer , ↑ discovery ; verb : ↑ discover ]
1 . [countable] a fact or thing that someone finds out about, when it was not known about before
discovery about
The Hubble Telescope allowed astronomers to make significant discoveries about our galaxy.
discovery that
the discovery that bees can communicate with each other
2 . [uncountable] when someone discovers something
discovery of
the discovery of oil in Alaska
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ make a discovery
By making new discoveries we expand our understanding of the natural world.
▪ lead to a discovery
It was pure chance that led to the discovery.
■ ADJECTIVES
▪ a new discovery
New discoveries are being made all the time.
▪ a recent discovery
the recent discovery of frozen water on the moon
▪ a great/major/important discovery
The archaeologists had made an important discovery.
▪ a scientific/medical etc discovery
The book covers the major scientific discoveries of the last century.
▪ an exciting discovery
The existence of the new solar system was a very exciting discovery.
▪ a surprising/unexpected discovery
Their work led to some surprising discoveries.
▪ a startling discovery (=very surprising)
When they examined the virus, they made a startling discovery.
▪ an accidental/chance discovery (=happening by chance)
Some of the tombs were the result of chance discoveries.
▪ a grim discovery (=an unpleasant and sad discovery such as finding a dead body)
Police made the grim discovery while they were searching the house.