exclude

verb ex·clude \ ik-ˈsklüd \

Updated on: 20 Apr 2018

Definition of exclude

excluded; excluding

transitive verb

1 a : to prevent or restrict the entrance of

b : to bar from participation, consideration, or inclusion

2 : to expel or bar especially from a place or position previously occupied

—

excluder

noun

See exclude defined for English-language learners

See exclude defined for kids

Examples of exclude in a Sentence

You can share files with some people on the network while excluding others.
The prices on the menu exclude tax.

Recent Examples of exclude from the Web

This excludes eight trips where the nightly rate wasn't available.

— perry vandell, azcentral, "Surprise city travel includes four-star hotel stays," 16 Apr. 2018
And while professional van builds can run well over $100,000 (including the van), Isabelle and Antoine transformed a 2016 Ford Transit into a roving home in approximately 1000 hours and $18,275 (excluding the van cost).

— megan barber, Curbed, "DIY camper van cost just $18K to build," 13 Apr. 2018
Rockets in 5 Jazz vs. Thunder If these are the two biggest conference threats to Golden State’s superiority (excluding Houston), the Warriors are relieved to see them on the Rockets’ side of the bracket.

— bruce jenkins, San Francisco Chronicle, "NBA series capsules," 12 Apr. 2018
Riccio, in an attempt to get evidence from the search excluded, was suggesting that officers entered Kyle Navin’s home before a warrant was signed.

— david owens, courant.com, "Kyle Navin Defense Works To Keep Evidence Out of Trial," 10 Apr. 2018
This obviously does not exclude all women from anger or violence.

— rachel sklar, Glamour, "Female Shooters Are Rare Because Gun Violence Has a Masculinity Problem," 6 Apr. 2018
That excludes high-end Boeing Co. jetliners such as the 747 and 777, leaving Beijing additional high-profile targets for possible future rounds of the conflict.

— david j. lynch, chicagotribune.com, "China raises tariffs on $50 billion list of U.S. goods including soybeans, aircraft, beef, whisky and autos," 4 Apr. 2018
The website FloTrack excluded Indiana from a list of possible meet sites.

— david woods, Indianapolis Star, "IU bids to host NCAA Track and Field Championships," 3 Apr. 2018
Both inflation, at 7%, and the budget deficit excluding interest payments, at 3.5%, are too high.

— The Economist, "Uruguay’s record-setting economic growth streak," 28 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'exclude.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of exclude

Middle English, from Latin excludere, from ex- + claudere to close — more at close

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

exclude Synonyms

Phrases

close one's doors to;

EXCLUDE Defined for English Language Learners

exclude

verb

Definition of exclude for English Language Learners

: to prevent (someone) from doing something or being a part of a group
: to leave out (something) : to not include (something)
: to think that (something, such as a possibility) is not worth attention

EXCLUDE Defined for Kids

exclude

verb ex·clude \ ik-ˈsklüd \

Definition of exclude for Students

excluded; excluding

: to shut out : keep out

Don't exclude your little sister from the game.

Word Root of exclude

The Latin word claudere, meaning “to close” or “to shut,” gives us the root clud. To exclude is to shut another out of a group. To include is to shut someone into a group. To conclude, or bring something, such as a speech, to an end, is to close it.