exclusivity
Americannoun
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
UC is not Harvard, and was never meant to embody that type of self-perpetuating exclusivity disguised as a meritocracy.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2026
The companies’ direct-to-cell exclusivity deal in the U.S., which currently offers Starlink Mobile as a $10 per month add-on to T-Mobile’s plans, ends next month.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 29, 2026
AbbVie lost U.S. patent exclusivity for Humira in 2023, opening the door to cheaper, “copycat” biosimilars.
From Barron's ● Jun. 22, 2026
But despite the exclusivity of the event and the strict no-selfie rule inside, the lengthy red carpet event beforehand ensures acres of media coverage.
From BBC ● May 3, 2026
It’s our current exclusivity, not that multi-species past, that is peculiar—and perhaps incriminating.
From "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
