objection

noun

ob·​jec·​tion əb-ˈjek-shən How to pronounce objection (audio)
plural objections
Synonyms of objectionnext
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.
At the Senate hearing, several members raised serious objections to this section of the bill. Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 15 Jan. 2026 The Stars argued to Owens the Mavs were well aware of their Frisco headquarters in 2011 and that the confirmation order of the bankruptcy case cleared them from any future objections to the terms agreed upon in that case. Lia Assimakopoulos, Dallas Morning News, 14 Jan. 2026 The investigation into the killing of a US citizen by an ICE agent in Minneapolis this week is being complicated by clashes between federal and local officials, with the FBI taking control over the objections of Governor Tim Walz. Wcco Staff, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2026 Following multiple delays, Keir Starmer is set to approve plans for the biggest Chinese embassy in Europe, after MI5 and MI6 declined to raise formal objections. Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 13 Jan. 2026 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 17 Jan. 2026.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!