exclusion

noun

ex·​clu·​sion ik-ˈsklü-zhən 

1

: the act or an instance of excluding

2

: the state of being excluded

exclusionary

ik-ˈsklü-zhə-ˌner-ē 

adjective

Examples of exclusion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply. —Meghan Hunter, CNBC, 25 Dec. 2025

The Medicare and Medicaid Act signed by President Lyndon Johnson had something in it called an IMD exclusion. —Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 24 Dec. 2025

Reynolds contends that the exclusion violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment by unfairly treating taxpayers with non-human dependents differently from those supporting human dependents. —Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 23 Dec. 2025

What’s troubling is the gradual and persistent normalization of eating disorder culture, which includes the glorification of one specific body type to the exclusion and detriment of others. —Michelle Konstantinovsky, Glamour, 22 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin exclusion-, exclusio, from excludere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing exclusion

• exclusion principle
• Pauli exclusion principle
• self-exclusion
• to the exclusion of

Rhymes for exclusion

• allusion
• collusion
• conclusion
• confusion
• contusion
• delusion
• diffusion
• effusion
• extrusion
• illusion
• inclusion
• infusion

Medical Definition

exclusion

noun

ex·​clu·​sion iks-ˈklü-zhən 

: surgical separation of part of an organ from the rest without excision

exclude

iks-ˈklüd 

transitive verb

excluded; excluding

Legal Definition

exclusion

noun

ex·​clu·​sion ik-ˈsklü-zhən 

1

: the act of excluding or state of being excluded

specifically : refusal of entry into the U.S. by immigration officials

review of deportation and exclusion orders

compare deportation

2

: something that excludes or is excluded: as

a

: a part of an insurance contract that excludes specified risks from coverage compare condition, declaration

b

: an amount that is excluded from tax liability compare credit, deduction, exemption

exclusionary

-zhə-ˌner-ē 

adjective