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

Relevance
See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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.
The Reservists-Economic Party A new center-right party, Reservists-Economic is focused on eliminating military exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men and improving the cost of living, but is hovering around the minimum threshold to enter the Knesset. — Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026 Illinois and other states must make SNAP exemptions automatic for anyone in active cancer treatment. — Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026 Supporters of the change argued that a broader exemption would encourage drug companies to develop treatments for rare diseases. — Fatima Hussein, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026 For more information, including identification exemptions, visit the state's voter ID requirements website. — Doug Myers, CBS News, 15 Oct. 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

See All Rhymes for exemption

Browse Nearby Words

exempt carrier
exemption
exemptive
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Exemption.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exemption. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

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

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of compunction

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All