exclude

verb ex·clude \ ik-ˈsklüd \

Updated on: 6 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

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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

Most countries limit what can be beamed in from overseas on cultural grounds and the EU generally excludes the sector from free-trade agreements.

— Bloomberg.com, "Estonia Joins Race to Woo Broadcasters Mulling Brexit Move," 3 Apr. 2018
An Office of Personnel Management database shows that Uncle Sam hired about 215,000 people — excluding current federal employees changing jobs — during its fiscal year ending last September, almost exactly the average of the previous six years.

— eric yoder, Washington Post, "Q&A for federal workers: Annual hiring rates," 3 Apr. 2018
The Idaho Department of Insurance on Monday issued a bulletin warning insurers that excluding autism treatments is against the law if their insurance plan covers other rehabilitative or habilitative services, such as occupational therapy.

— kimberlee kruesi and audrey dutton, idahostatesman, "Health insurers must cover these autism treatments, Idaho says | Idaho Statesman," 2 Apr. 2018
That’s dimmed the outlook for the chief executive officer to collect any of the options, which will vest in 12 increments if goals tied to market value and either revenue or earnings excluding certain items are met.

— Fortune, "Tesla's Very Bad Week Could End Up Costing Elon Musk His $2.6 Billion Bonus," 2 Apr. 2018
For one thing, excluding a price limits the number of people who see the listing: Websites such as Zillow, Trulia and Realtor.com don’t accept unpriced properties.

— gerard baker, WSJ, "The 10-Point.," 30 Mar. 2018
Roswig in 2016 exposed practices at some Connecticut summer camps that either excluded children with diabetes, or required that parents come each day to give their children insulin — also an apparent ADA violation.

— josh kovner, courant.com, "Large Child Care Company Settles With U.S. Over Policy Of Excluding Kids With Diabetes," 29 Mar. 2018
Criminal District Judge Robin Pittman denied a motion to suppress and exclude blood and DNA test results filed by Adams' attorneys, David Courcelle, Robert Jenkins and Scott Stansbury.

— heather nolan, NOLA.com, "Blood test results admissable in trial of man charged in fatal Lamborghini crash, judge rules," 28 Mar. 2018
Wake's order specifically notes $344 million improperly taken over two years, apparently excluding $143 million already paid for the current fiscal year before the congressional approval.

— ronald j. hansen, azcentral, "In a 2,200-page bill, 84 words might spare Arizona schools a $344 million hit," 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.