exception

noun

ex·​cep·​tion ik-ˈsep-shən 

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 exception

—T. B. Macaulay

see also take exception

4

: an oral or written legal objection

Synonyms

• objection
• complaint
• question

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 ordinance, however, did carve out the exception that local officials would contact ICE if an inmate had a detainer assigned to them, The Courier Journal reported. —Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 6 Aug. 2025

And that exception disappeared entirely rather than being rewritten. —Tax Notes Staff, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025

Meanwhile, while some U.S. lawmakers have ramped up their criticism of Israel, most have refrained from categorizing the events in Gaza as a genocide — with notable exceptions including Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican, and Rashida Tlaib, a Democrat. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2025

Until last weekend, 40 states have seen cases, and the 10 exceptions are mostly in the East, with several scattered in the and South and West. —Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 5 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing exception

• make an exception
• no exception
• take exception
• the exception rather than the rule
• without exception
• with the exception of

Rhymes for exception

• conception
• deception
• inception
• perception
• reception
• apperception
• contraception
• interception
• misconception
• misperception
• preconception
• intussusception

Kids Definition

exception

noun

ex·​cep·​tion ik-ˈsep-shən 

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