exclusion
C1Formal, Academic, Business, Legal
Definition
Meaning
The act of preventing someone or something from entering a place, group, activity, or consideration.
1. A state of being shut out or barred. 2. In logic and mathematics, a principle stating that one of two mutually exclusive alternatives must be true. 3. In insurance policies, specific conditions or circumstances not covered.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies deliberate or systemic action. Carries a stronger implication of being kept out than 'omission'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. UK English more commonly uses 'social exclusion' in policy contexts. US English may use 'exclusionary rule' more frequently in legal contexts.
Connotations
In both, can carry negative connotations of unfairness or discrimination.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in UK academic/social policy discourse.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
exclusion of [sb/sth] (from [sth])exclusion by [sb/sth]exclusion on the grounds/basis of [sth]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to the exclusion of all else”
- “mutual exclusion principle”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The contract contains an exclusion clause limiting liability.
Academic
The study examines patterns of social exclusion in urban environments.
Everyday
His exclusion from the team was a big disappointment.
Technical
The database query uses an exclusion filter to remove duplicate entries.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The headteacher excluded the pupil for persistent misconduct.
- The policy excludes pre-existing conditions from cover.
American English
- The principal excluded the student for fighting.
- The insurance excludes damage from floods.
adverb
British English
- This offer is available exclusively to our members.
- The show will air exclusively on this channel.
American English
- This product is sold exclusively online.
- The park is used exclusively for private events.
adjective
British English
- They attended an exclusive private school.
- The club has exclusive membership rules.
American English
- They launched an exclusive new product line.
- He gave an exclusive interview to the press.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- His exclusion from the game made him sad.
- There is an exclusion for children under five.
- The exclusion of sugar from her diet improved her health.
- He felt a sense of exclusion when his friends didn't invite him.
- The government's policy aimed to reduce social exclusion among disadvantaged groups.
- The mutual exclusion principle ensures that two processes cannot access the same resource simultaneously.
- The journal article critiques the systemic exclusion of minority perspectives from the historical canon.
- The treaty's clauses provided for the exclusion of military forces from the demilitarised zone.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a club with a sign: 'EXIT for those we CLOSE out' = EX-CLUSION.
Conceptual Metaphor
EXCLUSION IS A BARRIER/WALL (e.g., 'walls of exclusion', 'barriers to inclusion').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'исключение' meaning 'exception'. 'Exception' is a different concept in English. 'Exclusion' is 'исключение' only in the sense of 'act of excluding'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'exclusion' to mean 'exception' (e.g., 'with the exclusion of' is correct for 'except for', but 'an exclusion to the rule' is incorrect; it should be 'an exception to the rule').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes 'social exclusion'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Exclusion' is the act of keeping someone/something out. 'Exception' is a case that does not follow a general rule. An 'exception' might be made from an 'exclusion'.
Mostly, but not always. In technical contexts (e.g., 'mutual exclusion' in computing) it is a neutral, functional term. In social contexts, it is almost always negative.
No. The verb form is 'to exclude'. 'Exclusion' is only a noun.
A designated area from which specific persons, vehicles, or aircraft are prohibited, usually for safety or security reasons.