exception

[ik-sep-shuhn]

noun

1. the act of excepting or the fact of being excepted.

2. something excepted; an instance or case not conforming to the general rule.

3. an adverse criticism, especially on a particular point; opposition of opinion; objection; demurral.

   a statement liable to exception.

4. Law.

   1. an objection, as to a ruling of the court in the course of a trial.

   2. a notation that an objection is preserved for purposes of appeal.

      saving an exception.

exception

/ ɪkˈsɛpʃən /

noun

1. the act of excepting or fact of being excepted; omission

2. anything excluded from or not in conformance with a general rule, principle, class, etc

3. criticism, esp when it is adverse; objection

4. law (formerly) a formal objection in the course of legal proceedings

5. law a clause or term in a document that restricts the usual legal effect of the document

6. 1. (usually foll by to) to make objections (to); demur (at)

   2. (often foll by at) to be offended (by); be resentful (at)

Other Word Forms

• exceptionless adjective
• preexception noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of exception¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English excepcioun, from Latin exceptiōn-, stem of exceptiō; equivalent to except ¹ + -ion

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. take exception,

   1. to make an objection; demur.

      They took exception to several points in the contract.

   2. to take offense.

      She took exception to what I said about her brother.

More idioms and phrases containing exception

• except for (with the exception of)
• make an exception
• take exception to

Example Sentences

One exception to this rule was the super transfer quarterback.

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This was a small and, in the vast run of cases, typically easy-to-administer exception to the general rule.

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In August 2024, the Southern Environmental Law Center wrote to Memphis city officials to question how xAI was able to get a permitting exception that it said was meant for much smaller turbines.

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The $90 level, which has acted as a ceiling since the early April “Liberation Day” lows, is once again being tested—June’s brief foray being the only prior exception.

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Barring these exceptions, Medigap policies are medically underwritten, and you can be charged more or denied coverage based on your health status.

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Related Words

• anomaly 
• exemption 
• oddity 
• privilege