objection

noun

ob·​jec·​tion əb-ˈjek-shən How to pronounce objection (audio)
plural objections
1
: an act of objecting
2
a
: a reason or argument presented in opposition
b
: a feeling or expression of disapproval
c
: a statement of opposition to an aspect of a judicial or other legal proceeding
file an objection to a proposed bankruptcy plan

Examples of objection in a Sentence

My main objection is that some people will have to pay more than others. He said he had no objection to the plan.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Ashlee Buzzard, 40, appeared in court with her public defender and was released from jail in Santa Barbara despite objections from the district attorney’s office, according to a statement from Amber Frost, a spokesperson for the district attorney. Steve Patterson, NBC news, 12 Nov. 2025 The petition required 218 signatures to move forward over the objection of House Republican leadership, who typically decide what bills get voted on on the House floor. Hannah Pinski, Louisville Courier Journal, 12 Nov. 2025 Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer faces a backlash over his leadership from within his Democratic Party after eight members of the Senate Democratic Caucus joined Republicans on Sunday to vote to advance a deal aimed at ending the 40-day government shutdown despite Schumer's objections. Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025 The judge can sustain objections to questions if foundation hasn’t been laid by previous testimony. Sam Blum, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for objection

Word History

Etymology

Middle English objeccioun, borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Late Latin objectiōn-, objectiō, from Latin obicere, objicere "to throw in the way, put forward, cite as a ground for disapproval or criticism" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at object entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of objection was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Objection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/objection. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

objection

noun
ob·​jec·​tion əb-ˈjek-shən How to pronounce objection (audio)
1
: an act of objecting
2
: a reason for or a feeling of disapproval
my objection is this
had objections to the plan

Legal Definition

objection

noun
ob·​jec·​tion
1
: an act or instance of objecting
specifically : a statement of opposition to an aspect of a judicial or other legal proceeding
file an objection to a proposed bankruptcy plan
2
: a reason or argument forming the ground of an objection

Note: Objections at trial are generally made for the purpose of opposing the admission of improper evidence. Such an objection must be made in a timely manner. Objections prevent the jury from seeing or hearing the evidence and preserve the issue for appeal. Objections may also be made on the ground of the opposing counsel's improper methods (as leading a witness) or for other technical reasons.

More from Merriam-Webster on objection

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