expulsion
B2Formal
Definition
Meaning
The act of forcing someone to leave a place, organization, or institution, typically as an official punishment or as a result of pressure.
Can refer to the act of forcing something out, such as air from the lungs or a foreign object from the body. In a legal/political context, it can refer to the removal of a diplomat or member from a legislative body.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Carries strong connotations of official, forceful, and often permanent removal. Implies authority and a breach of rules or norms. Not typically used for voluntary departures.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Equally strong and formal in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British news due to reporting on school disciplinary matters.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
expulsion from (an institution/place)expulsion of (a person/group/thing)expulsion for (a reason/offence)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “On a one-way ticket to expulsion (informal, school context)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; used in corporate governance for the removal of a director or member from a board.
Academic
Common in disciplinary contexts (schools/universities) and in political/historical studies (e.g., ethnic expulsions).
Everyday
Primarily used in news reports about school discipline or political events.
Technical
Used in medicine (e.g., expulsion of the placenta) and physics/engineering (e.g., expulsion of gas).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The headteacher had to expel three pupils for violent conduct.
- The committee moved to expel the member for gross misconduct.
American English
- The principal expelled the student for bringing a weapon to school.
- The union voted to expel the corrupt official.
adverb
British English
- The gas was expelled explosively from the chamber.
- He was summarily and expulsively removed from the premises.
American English
- The crowd was forcefully and expulsively dispersed.
- The policy was designed to work expulsively against undocumented immigrants.
adjective
British English
- The expulsionary process must follow strict guidelines.
- The expulsive force of the explosion was tremendous.
American English
- The expulsionary hearing is scheduled for next week.
- She felt an expulsive contraction during labour.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- His bad behaviour led to his expulsion from school.
- The expulsion of air from the balloon made a funny sound.
- The government ordered the expulsion of the foreign spies.
- Fighting is grounds for immediate expulsion from the club.
- The politician faced expulsion from her party after the scandal.
- The treaty prohibited the mass expulsion of ethnic minorities.
- The court upheld the school's decision, ruling the expulsion was neither arbitrary nor capricious.
- The historical period was marked by the violent expulsion of the indigenous population from their ancestral lands.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'pulse' in the middle—expulsion is like a strong pulse pushing something OUT.
Conceptual Metaphor
A CONTAINER is PURGED. (The school/nation/body is a container from which unwanted elements are forcibly expelled.)
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'экспульсия' (a rare Latinism). The common translation is 'изгнание' or 'исключение'. Beware of false friends with 'expedition' (экспедиция).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'expulsion' for a voluntary resignation (incorrect). Confusing it with 'exhibition'. Incorrect preposition: 'expulsion *of* the school' instead of 'expulsion *from* the school'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'expulsion' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Suspension is temporary removal for a set period. Expulsion is permanent removal.
Yes, it can be used for the forcible removal of substances (e.g., 'expulsion of toxins') or objects.
The verb is 'to expel'.
It is a formal word, typical of official, legal, medical, and academic contexts.