exception

noun

ex·​cep·​tion ik-ˈsep-shən How to pronounce exception (audio)
plural exceptions
1
: the act of excepting : exclusion
2
: one that is excepted
especially : a case to which a rule does not apply
3
: question, objection
witnesses whose authority is beyond exceptionT. B. Macaulay
see also take exception
4
: an oral or written legal objection

Examples of exception in a Sentence

There will be no exceptions to this rule. I take strong exception to your assessment of his singing ability.
Recent Examples on the Web The exceptions are noted on the Ticketmaster website. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2024 Most players, with a few exceptions, are simply cogs in a giant blue machine. Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2024 The Navajo Nation is the lone exception in Arizona. Chris Sims, The Indianapolis Star, 9 Mar. 2024 That exception appeared to apply to restaurants like Panera Bread. Adam Beam, Quartz, 6 Mar. 2024 Former President Trump has won all but one 2024 Republican nominating contest, with Washington, D.C., as the lone exception. Kevin Keister, Charlotte Observer, 5 Mar. 2024 Good food is good business Some food processors will predictably resist with lobbying efforts to minimize labeling changes and seek loopholes and exceptions. Julie Chapon, Fortune Europe, 5 Mar. 2024 Tiahrt named after proponent of gun rights The Tiahrt Amendment, first enacted as a rider to appropriations legislation in 2003, grants the ATF one exception to blocking the public disclosure of information from its firearm trace database. Emma Tucker, CNN, 4 Mar. 2024 But when the recent global pandemic shut down stadiums, researchers found significant exceptions. Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 4 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'exception.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of exception was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near exception

Cite this Entry

“Exception.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exception. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

exception

noun
ex·​cep·​tion ik-ˈsep-shən How to pronounce exception (audio)
1
: the act of excepting : exclusion
it's all here, with the exception of the sweater
2
: a case where a rule does not apply
we'll make an exception this time
3
: an objection or a ground for objection
took exception to the remark

Legal Definition

exception

noun
ex·​cep·​tion
1
: something that is excepted or excluded
especially : a situation to which a rule does not apply
the Supreme Court shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, with such exceptions, and under such regulations as the Congress shall make U.S. Constitution art. III
2
: an act of excepting
especially : exclusion of a section of real property from a conveyance compare reservation
3
: a usually written objection especially to a judge's ruling
filed an exception raising a question regarding jury instructions
used especially in equity proceedings
see also bill of exceptions at bill sense 3a

More from Merriam-Webster on exception

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