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

• challenge
• complaint
• demur
• demurral
• demurrer
• difficulty
• expostulation
• fuss
• kick
• objection
• protest
• question
• remonstrance
• stink

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 only exceptions in the Arab world were northern Yemen, whose de facto Houthi government is close to Iran, and Lebanon, home to Hezbollah, the armed group backed by the Iranians. —Vivian Nereim, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2024

The only exception to this is for parking paces adjacent to landscaped areas. —Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Apr. 2024

The humor in the room should never be targeted and mean spirited, and all exceptions are intolerable. —Ben Croll, Variety, 15 Apr. 2024

The bill made exceptions for students to use cellphones for educational purposes and during emergencies. —The Arizona Republic, 13 Apr. 2024

Known as personal casualty loss deductions, they were suspended through 2025, with a few exceptions. —Michael Laris, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024

Dodgers Hernández: For a ‘relieved’ Shohei Ohtani, first home run carries weight April 4, 2024 An exception? —Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024

Blender was the one exception where a greater than 3% difference was measured, but the Core i9-13900K actually performed better in this test. —PCMAG, 10 Apr. 2024

Populations worldwide are aging quickly, a trend not spared even among traditional labor-sending and lower-income countries, with Africa being the lone exception. —Miglė Petrauskaitė, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2024

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

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