indecent exposure

noun

: intentional exposure of part of one's body (such as the genitals) in a place where such exposure is likely to be an offense against the generally accepted standards of decency

Examples of indecent exposure in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Police arrested Grace Kelley on Friday and charged the 27-year-old with two misdemeanors: indecent exposure and obstructing government operations, according to charging documents obtained by AL.com. —Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 10 Apr. 2024

What is the punishment for indecent exposure in California? —Angela Rodriguez, Sacramento Bee, 12 July 2024

Listen to this article Police are asking for the public’s help identifying a man possibly tied to an indecent exposure incident inside a Southington Wal-Mart last week. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 25 Jan. 2024

According to the New York Daily News, the charge was later dropped, while the indecent exposure charge was lessened to public lewdness. —Njera Perkins, Peoplemag, 12 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1828, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

indecent exposure

noun

: intentional exposure of part of one's body (as the genitalia) in a place where such exposure is likely to be an offense against the generally accepted standards of decency in a community

Legal Definition

indecent exposure

noun

in·​de·​cent exposure

: the exposing of one's private body parts (as the genitals) either recklessly or intentionally and under circumstances likely to cause offense or affront

Note: Indecent exposure is generally classified as a misdemeanor.