exploitation

/ˌɛksplɔɪˈteɪʃn̩/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: exploitations

Sense 1

Meaning · English

The act of utilizing something; industry.

Noun

Examples

the exploitation of natural resources

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

The improper use of something for selfish purposes.

Noun

Examples

the exploitation of children in beauty pageants

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “exploitation” mean?

The act of utilizing something; industry.

Is “exploitation” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.