exception

noun

ex·​cep·​tion ik-ˈsep-shən How to pronounce exception (audio)
plural exceptions
1
: the act of excepting : exclusion
2
: one that is excepted
especially : a case to which a rule does not apply
3
: question, objection
witnesses whose authority is beyond exceptionT. B. Macaulay
see also take exception
4
: an oral or written legal objection

Example Sentences

There will be no exceptions to this rule. I take strong exception to your assessment of his singing ability.
Recent Examples on the Web But what Paulina didn’t know is that someone else was also granted this exception. The Foretold Team, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2023 She’s become a go-to confidante for her friends who have questions about dating, and a sounding board for colleagues who notice new trends, or exceptions to them. Emma Grillo, New York Times, 25 May 2023 The average robot mower (there are some exceptions) uses multiple small steel pieces, each about the size of a razor blade, to remove very small amounts of grass over many days and multiple passes. Kate Morgan, Popular Mechanics, 25 May 2023 That exception didn't satisfy the lawsuit's plaintiffs, obviously. Douglas Soule, USA TODAY, 24 May 2023 Chinese citizens are almost entirely banned, with few exceptions, while there are similar but slightly lighter restrictions on citizens of Cuba, Venezuela, Syria, Iran, Russia, and North Korea. Tori Otten, The New Republic, 24 May 2023 In an email to The Verge, repair technician and right-to-repair activist Louis Rossmann expressed disappointment that game consoles weren’t covered and concern that the cybersecurity exceptions might be abused as a loophole. Adi Robertson, The Verge, 24 May 2023 With few exceptions the tables were populated by older patrons for whom the name Barbara Lynch clearly held sway. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 15 May 2023 DeBiasis insists the symptoms people experience are real, even if PTLDS experiences are the exception. Caroline Hopkins, NBC News, 14 May 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'exception.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near exception

Cite this Entry

“Exception.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exception. Accessed 8 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

exception

noun
ex·​cep·​tion ik-ˈsep-shən How to pronounce exception (audio)
1
: the act of excepting : exclusion
it's all here, with the exception of the sweater
2
: a case where a rule does not apply
we'll make an exception this time
3
: an objection or a ground for objection
took exception to the remark

Legal Definition

exception

noun
ex·​cep·​tion
1
: something that is excepted or excluded
especially : a situation to which a rule does not apply
the Supreme Court shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, with such exceptions, and under such regulations as the Congress shall make U.S. Constitution art. III
2
: an act of excepting
especially : exclusion of a section of real property from a conveyance compare reservation
3
: a usually written objection especially to a judge's ruling
filed an exception raising a question regarding jury instructions
used especially in equity proceedings
see also bill of exceptions at bill sense 3a

More from Merriam-Webster on exception

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