exclude

verb

ex·​clude ik-ˈsklüd How to pronounce exclude (audio)
excluded; excluding

transitive verb

1
a
: to prevent or restrict the entrance of
b
: to bar from participation, consideration, or inclusion
2
: to expel or bar especially from a place or position previously occupied
excluder noun

Examples of exclude in a Sentence

You can share files with some people on the network while excluding others. The prices on the menu exclude tax.
Recent Examples on the Web Domestic workers like Sanchez, a 43-year-old immigrant from Mexico who lives in Los Angeles, are excluded from federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration protections that other employees across the country benefit from. Mackenzie Mays, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2023 The former president also discussed how under his administration, families were allowed to use 529 savings accounts to spend up to $10,000 per year on K-12 education, though homeschooling families were excluded from this benefit. Asher Notheis, Washington Examiner, 14 Sep. 2023 In 1997, a year after Congress passed a welfare reform law that excluded legal immigrants from accessing food aid and cash benefits, the state Legislature intervened and unanimously voted to make such benefits available to those people in Massachusetts using state funding. Samantha J. Gross, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Sep. 2023 Income for the poorest 20 percent of households — excluding tax credits and some other government benefits — rose 4.3 percent last year, adjusted for inflation. Lydia Depillis, New York Times, 12 Sep. 2023 The song quickly broke streaming records, clocking the single highest number of streams during a single day (holiday music excluded) on Spotify. Carrie Battan, The New Yorker, 12 Sep. 2023 Adjusted earnings of 96 cents per share, which exclude the opioid settlement charge, topped forecasts. WSJ, 8 Sep. 2023 Ballet has long been conceived as an elitist and classist form of dance that people of color often felt excluded from, Lucas said, pointing to specific standards for size and appearance that dancers were expected to meet. Janay Kingsberry, Washington Post, 3 Sep. 2023 In 1865, President Andrew Johnson issued a proclamation that absolved most of them but excluded, among others, Confederate leaders and those who held property worth more than twenty thousand dollars. Jelani Cobb, The New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2023 See More

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

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin excludere, from ex- + claudere to close — more at close entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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

Dictionary Entries Near exclude

Cite this Entry

“Exclude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exclude. Accessed 1 Oct. 2023.

Kids Definition

exclude

verb
ex·​clude iks-ˈklüd How to pronounce exclude (audio)
excluded; excluding
: to shut or keep out
excludable
-ˈklüd-ə-bəl
adjective
exclusion
-ˈklü-zhən
noun

Legal Definition

exclude

transitive verb
ex·​clude ik-ˈsklüd How to pronounce exclude (audio)
excluded; excluding
1
: to prevent or restrict the entry or admission of
exclude hearsay evidence
2
: to remove from participation, consideration, or inclusion (as in insurance coverage)

More from Merriam-Webster on exclude

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!