exclusivity

Also ex·clu·sive·ness

[eks-kloo-siv-i-tee]

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.

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of exclusivity¹

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

Example Sentences

While the statement doesn’t mention exclusivity, LSEG’s broad data offering might still provide an advantage, they add.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"There's no exclusivities. Our primary goal is just really to support them and help them grow – and grow the ecosystem."

Read more on BBC

Its cachet of extreme exclusivity has not abated over the years, even as Birkin herself slid out of the public eye.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

League officials believe the exclusivity of one package would generate more collective revenue than the combination of 30 individual team deals.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Brands are now trying to create queues and that feeling of exclusivity by tempting shoppers with free products, the chance to get their hands on hard to buy stock, and TikTok-worthy experiences.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• particularity