exploitation

UK: /ˌɛksplɔɪˈteɪʃ^ən/

US: /ˌɛksplɔɪˈteɪʃən/

US: (ek′sploi tā′shən)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

ex•ploi•ta•tion  (ek′sploi tā′shən), n. 

1. use or utilization, esp. for profit:
   the exploitation of newly discovered oil fields.
2. selfish utilization:
   He got ahead through the exploitation of his friends.
3. Business the combined, often varied, use of public-relations and advertising techniques to promote a person, movie, product, etc.

• French; see exploit, -ation
• 1795–1805

ex′ploi•ta′tion•al, adj. 
ex′ploi•ta′tion•al•ly, adv. 

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

ex•ploit¹ /ˈɛksplɔɪt/   n. [countable]

1. a striking or notable deed;
   feat.

ex•ploit² /ɪkˈsplɔɪt/   v. [~ + object]

1. to use for profit; turn to practical account:
   to exploit a business opportunity.
2. to use selfishly for one's own ends:
   a company that exploits its workers with low pay and no benefits.

ex•ploi•ta•tion /ˌɛksplɔɪˈteɪʃən/  n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

ex•ploit¹  (ek′sploit, ik sploit′), n. 

1. a striking or notable deed;
   feat;
   spirited or heroic act:
   the exploits of Alexander the Great.

• Latin explicitum, neuter of explicitus (past participle). See explicit
• Old French exploit, Anglo-French espleit
• Middle English exploit, espleit 1350–1400

Synonyms

accomplishment. See achievement. 

ex•ploit²  (ik sploit′), v.t. 

1. to utilize, esp. for profit; turn to practical account:
   to exploit a business opportunity.
2. to use selfishly for one's own ends:
   employers who exploit their workers.
3. to advance or further through exploitation;
   promote:
   He exploited his new movie through a series of guest appearances.

• Anglo-French espleiter, derivative of espleit (noun, nominal). See exploit¹
• French exploiter, derivative of exploit (noun, nominal); replacing late Middle English expleiten to achieve
• 1375–1425

ex•ploit′a•ble, adj. 
ex•ploit′a•bil′i•ty, n. 
ex•ploit′a•tive, ex•ploit•a•to•ry  (ik sploi′tə tôr′ē, -tōr′ē), ex•ploit′ive, adj.  ex•ploit′er, n.