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.

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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)

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exception More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing exception

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

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Other Word Forms

• exceptionless adjective
• preexception noun

Etymology

Origin of exception

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

Example Sentences

But the rules make an exception for investors holding stakes in private-asset funds.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Good Friday derbies between St Helens and Wigan rarely disappoint and the final stages of this encounter were no exception.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

The exception is a 15% tax rate on drugs coming from the European Union, Japan, South Korea, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

Since winning the World Cup in 2006, the Azzurri have largely disappointed in international tournaments - with the exception of their surprise victory at the Euros in 2021 against England at Wembley.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

Since Rondon didn’t speak English, and Roosevelt didn’t speak Portuguese—with the exception of mais canja, meaning “more chicken soup,” his favorite Brazilian dish—they conversed in French.

From "Death on the River of Doubt" by Samantha Seiple

Related Words

• anomaly
• exemption
• oddity
• privilege