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

Members of Congress questioned if the NFL was violating the antitrust exemption in the 1961 law that was meant to make most games available for free. — Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 8 Sep. 2026

By doing so, campuses get a two-year exemption from state takeovers, meaning a campus can get up to seven F ratings in a row and still not be subject to a takeover. — Samuel O’Neal 8, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Sep. 2026

Because of this distinction, European fast fashion companies like Zara and H&M will be spared, an exemption that received criticism from environmental groups who note that fast fashion companies have their fair share of sustainability issues too. — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026

Families contacted their lawmakers from communities across the state, and proposals to expand vaccine exemptions failed because of strong support from Floridians to maintain our current safeguards. — Kas Miller, Sun Sentinel, 7 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