exclusivity

American  

[eks-kloo-siv-i-tee] / ˌɛks kluˈsɪv ɪ ti /

Also exclusiveness

noun

1. the fact of shutting out some other thing; incompatibility.

   The apparent mutual exclusivity of their claims might seem to lead to inevitable conflict and deadlock.

2. the act or practice of shutting out all others from a relation, process, location, etc..

   The vows of marriage speak of exclusivity, permanence, and total self-giving.

   The program encourages mothers to maintain breastfeeding exclusivity—no formula or solid food—for the first six months of their infant’s life.

3. the tendency to resist including those who are different or do not meet a narrow set of criteria.

   The island’s population has maintained strong ties to cultural traditions—yet it is not a culture of exclusivity, but one that provides pathways for all to prosper.

4. the fact or quality of catering to, or being restricted to, affluent or upper-class people, often by virtue of comparatively high prices.

   It is one of the most fashionable vacation hotspots in the world, with a reputation for exclusivity, luxury, and breathtaking beauty.

5. a provision in a contract or piece of legislation that shuts out competition.

   Ending handset exclusivity will allow cell phone carriers to attract customers based on network quality and the services offered.

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Other Word Forms

• semiexclusiveness
  noun
• semiexclusivity
  noun
• ultraexclusiveness
  noun
• ultraexclusivity
  noun
• unexclusiveness
  noun
• unexclusivity
  noun

Etymology

Origin of exclusivity

First recorded in 1880–85; from French exclusivité, equivalent to exclusiv(e) ( def. ) + -ity ( def. )

Explanation

Exclusivity is a quality of being limited to only certain people or groups. Part of the appeal of an expensive private club is its exclusivity. Exclusivity, the state of being exclusive, or allowing limited access, has two uses. It can mean "only available to one group," like when a sports sponsor gets a deal with exclusivity, meaning only that brand will be worn by a team. It also means "only accessible if you're rich or cool enough." The exclusivity of private colleges has increased along with their tuition over years. In both cases, most people (or brands) are excluded.

Example Sentences

Word of mouth and trust among friends at country clubs and high-net-worth social circles helped provide a ready supply of victims and give him a “halo effect” of exclusivity.

From MarketWatch • May 27, 2026

Widely considered a “wonder drug” in oncology, Keytruda is one of the best-selling medications of all time, making its loss of exclusivity a major headwind for the company.

From Barron's • May 22, 2026

“Some of the things they like are exclusivity and privacy.”

From MarketWatch • May 21, 2026

But the companies’ pact grew contentious last year as the artificial-intelligence race heated up, in part because of the control Microsoft had over OpenAI’s intellectual property and exclusivity agreements forged earlier in their relationship.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026

Lembede’s Africanism was not universally supported because his ideas were characterized by a racial exclusivity that disturbed some of the other Youth Leaguers.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

• particularity