exclusion

noun

ex·​clu·​sion ik-ˈsklü-zhən How to pronounce exclusion (audio)
Synonyms of exclusionnext
1
: the act or an instance of excluding
2
: the state of being excluded
exclusionary adjective

Examples of exclusion in a Sentence

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.
And then into that den of exclusion, waltzes 20-year-old Katharine Blodgett, hired as a full-fledged scientist, excited to start working for Irving Langmuir. Natalia Sánchez Loayza, Scientific American, 5 Feb. 2026 The exclusion of these students reshapes the public school landscape. Jill Stegman, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026 Baldeck instead provided a copy of its exclusion policy, which was already public. Amber Gaudet updated February 5, Charlotte Observer, 5 Feb. 2026 Tax benefits are limited Because the lifetime gift/estate tax exclusion amount is currently so high, avoiding estate tax shouldn’t be a major motivation for most people to gift assets to individuals during their lifetimes—at least for now. Christine Benz, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exclusion

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of exclusion was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Exclusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exclusion. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

Medical Definition

exclusion

noun
ex·​clu·​sion iks-ˈklü-zhən How to pronounce exclusion (audio)
: surgical separation of part of an organ from the rest without excision
exclude transitive verb
excluded; excluding

Legal Definition

exclusion

noun
ex·​clu·​sion ik-ˈsklü-zhən How to pronounce exclusion (audio)
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 adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on exclusion

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!

More from Merriam-Webster