exclude

1 of 2

verb

ex·​clude ik-ˈsklüd 

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

excluder

2 of 2

noun

ex·​clud·​er

-də(r)

plural -s

: one that excludes: such as

a

: a person who tries to keep another out of office

b

: a screen with divisions large enough to permit passage of workers but not a queen bee that is placed between chambers or supers of a beehive especially to control the distribution of brood

c

British : a heavy rubber overshoe : galosh

Synonyms of exclude

Verb

• eliminate
• ban
• prohibit
• prevent
• bar

Examples of exclude in a Sentence

Verb

You can share files with some people on the network while excluding others.

The prices on the menu exclude tax.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The issue has dominated conversation around the WNBA in the wake of Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham’s recent comments in favor of excluding trans athletes from women’s sports. — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026

Children of parents tied to groups that are deemed terrorist organizations, like Antifa or Tren de Aragua, are also excluded. — ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026

That’s after excluding wealth from the top 1% of households, subtracting debts and other liabilities, as well as deducting retirement spending, charitable donations, taxes and fees. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026

The city today is excluded from hosting hundreds of religious, political, labor, sports and industry events each year due to lack of hotel beds. — Sacbee.com, 8 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Latin excludere, from ex- + claudere to close — more at close entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for exclude

• accrued
• allude
• collude
• conclude
• construed
• debuted
• delude
• elude
• endued
• ensued
• eschewed
• etude

Kids Definition

exclude

verb

ex·​clude iks-ˈklüd 

excluded; excluding

: to shut or keep out

excludable

-ˈklüd-ə-bəl

adjective

exclusion

-ˈklü-zhən

noun

Legal Definition

exclude

transitive verb

ex·​clude ik-ˈsklüd 

excluded; excluding

1

: to prevent or restrict the entry or admission of

exclude hearsay evidence

2

: to remove from participation, consideration, or inclusion (as in insurance coverage)