Disclosure means revealing information that was previously hidden or secret. When someone makes a disclosure, they're sharing facts they had been keeping private or that weren't generally known.

In everyday life, disclosure happens constantly. When you tell your parents you accidentally broke their favorite mug, that's a disclosure. When a friend admits they've been feeling worried about something, they're making a personal disclosure. The word suggests that the information matters and that sharing it required some decision or courage.

In the adult world, disclosure has special importance. Companies must make financial disclosures to their investors, revealing their true profits and losses. Scientists make disclosures about conflicts of interest, explaining if they have personal reasons that might affect their research. Doctors must practice disclosure by explaining treatment risks to patients before surgery.

Sometimes disclosure is required by law or rules. A referee must disclose if they're related to one of the players. A teacher might require disclosure of sources for a research paper, meaning you must reveal where you got your information.

The opposite of disclosure is concealment or secrecy. Full disclosure means sharing everything relevant and holding nothing important back.