exception

American  

[ik-sep-shuhn] / ɪkˈsɛp ʃən /

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.

---

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.

exception British  

/ 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)

---

exception More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing exception

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

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• preexception
  noun
• exceptionless
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of exception

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

Explanation

An exception is something that is left out or not done on purpose. An exception to a rule does not follow that rule. This word is used for all sorts of things that are not usual or usually allowed. The saying ”i before e except after c,” is about an exception to a spelling rule. If you run every day but take Saturdays off, you're making an exception. If your teacher punishes you for being late even though you have an excuse, she might say, "I'm sorry, but I can't make an exception." When you see exception, think "Something different than usual is happening."

Example Sentences

They plan to end encounters with humans—perhaps with the exception of feeding the sloths—and pursue accreditation from the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026

Unlike governor, these positions typically have very specific duties, and with the exception of attorney general, rarely come with a bully pulpit.

From Los Angeles Times • May 31, 2026

The Andes strain, which is at the center of this outbreak, is the exception.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026

All of the chips mentioned above, with one exception, have something in common: They are made by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing.

From Barron's • May 29, 2026

Upon graduation from high school, able-bodied Hitler Youth were required to serve six months in the Reich Labor Service, without exception.

From "Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

Related Words

• anomaly
• exemption
• oddity
• privilege