exemption

noun

ex·​emp·​tion ig-ˈzem(p)-shən How to pronounce exemption (audio)
Synonyms of exemption
1
: the act of exempting or state of being exempt : immunity
2
: one that exempts or is exempted
especially : a source or amount of income exempted from taxation

Synonyms of exemption

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Examples of exemption in a Sentence

They were granted exemptions from military service. You can claim a tax exemption for each of your dependents.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
However, the law does carve out exemptions for motor vehicles, farm equipment, heavy equipment, medical devices, video-game consoles, large home appliances and certain cybersecurity products. — Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026 Adding pressure to Shein’s sales and already thin margins, the European Union last month scrapped a similar exemption. — John Liu, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026 Its Supreme Court has rejected draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Jews and overturned a law legalizing settler homes built on private Palestinian land. — Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 One of the most pressing issues is a federal antitrust exemption, the likes of which most pro sports have some part of but college does not. — ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exemption

Word History

Etymology

Middle English exempcioun, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin exemptiōn-, exemptiō "taking out, removal," from eximere "to take out, remove, set free, obtain immunity for" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at exempt entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of exemption was in the 14th century

Rhymes for exemption

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Browse Nearby Words

exempt carrier
exemption
exemptive
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Cite this Entry

“Exemption.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exemption. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

exemption

noun
ex·​emp·​tion ig-ˈzem(p)-shən How to pronounce exemption (audio)
1
: the act of exempting : the state of being exempt
2
: something that is exempted

Legal Definition

exemption

noun
ex·​emp·​tion ig-ˈzemp-shən How to pronounce exemption (audio)
1
: the act of exempting or state of being exempt
2
: one that exempts or is exempted: as
a
: an amount of income exempted from taxation that may be deducted from adjusted gross income under the tax laws see also Internal Revenue Code compare deduction, exclusion, tax credit
— dependency exemption \ də-​ˈpen-​dən-​sē-​ \
: an exemption that is allowed for each dependent who qualifies under the tax laws (as sections 151 and 152 of the Internal Revenue Code)

Note: Under the federal income tax laws, the dependency exemption is allowed for each dependent whose gross income is less than the exemption or who is a child of the taxpayer and is under 19 or a student under 24.

— personal exemption
: an exemption that is allowed for the taxpayer or for the taxpayer and spouse if filing a joint return
b
: the right created by federal and state laws to exempt specified types of property from a bankruptcy estate
precludes the debtor from using the exemptions in the Bankruptcy Code
also : a type of property that may be claimed as exempt see also Bankruptcy Code
c
: homestead exemption

More from Merriam-Webster on exemption

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about exemption

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