exemption

noun

ex·​emp·​tion ig-ˈzem(p)-shən 

1

: the act of exempting or state of being exempt : immunity

2

: one that exempts or is exempted

especially : a source or amount of income exempted from taxation

Synonyms of exemption

• immunity
• protection

Examples of exemption in a Sentence

They were granted exemptions from military service.

You can claim a tax exemption for each of your dependents.

Recent Examples on the Web

Preserving the family farm has been a pretext for passing ever larger exemptions to the estate tax, to the point that a married couple can now pass on $30 million to heirs tax-free. — Eric Zwick, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2026

And, on the regulatory front, the SEC is already working on an innovation exemption for some forms of on-chain stock. — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2026

In January, the FCC issued guidance saying that late-night talk shows don't have a blanket exemption from the agency's equal-time rule. — Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026

The Kansas City Star filed a lawsuit to make the deal public, and a Jackson County judge ruled this week that the deal could remain shielded from public view, citing exemptions in the Missouri Sunshine Law. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English exempcioun, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin exemptiōn-, exemptiō "taking out, removal," from eximere "to take out, remove, set free, obtain immunity for" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at exempt entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for exemption

• preemption
• redemption
• emption

Kids Definition

exemption

noun

ex·​emp·​tion ig-ˈzem(p)-shən 

1

: the act of exempting : the state of being exempt

2

: something that is exempted

Legal Definition

exemption

noun

ex·​emp·​tion ig-ˈzemp-shən 

1

: the act of exempting or state of being exempt

2

: one that exempts or is exempted: as

a

: an amount of income exempted from taxation that may be deducted from adjusted gross income under the tax laws see also Internal Revenue Code compare deduction, exclusion, tax credit

— dependency exemption \ də-​ˈpen-​dən-​sē-​ \

: an exemption that is allowed for each dependent who qualifies under the tax laws (as sections 151 and 152 of the Internal Revenue Code)

Note: Under the federal income tax laws, the dependency exemption is allowed for each dependent whose gross income is less than the exemption or who is a child of the taxpayer and is under 19 or a student under 24.

— personal exemption

: an exemption that is allowed for the taxpayer or for the taxpayer and spouse if filing a joint return

b

: the right created by federal and state laws to exempt specified types of property from a bankruptcy estate

precludes the debtor from using the exemptions in the Bankruptcy Code

also : a type of property that may be claimed as exempt see also Bankruptcy Code

c

: homestead exemption