Exemption

ɪɡˈzɛmpʃən

nounmedium📊CommonState
1 meaning2 idioms/phrases2 questions

Definitions

1

The act or an instance of exempting or the state of being exempted.

ɪɡˈzɛmpʃən

nounneutralmedium
State

The act of freeing or state of being free from a liability or requirement.

The government granted an exemption from the tariffs for essential goods.

💡 Simply: Imagine you have a rule that everyone has to wear a hat. But, if you're sick, you get a pass! That pass is an exemption – you're excused from the rule.

👶 For kids: When you don't have to do something that everyone else does. Like, if you're sick, you get an exemption from school.

More Examples

2

Students with medical conditions may be granted exemptions from certain physical activities.

3

They were given a special exemption from the usual dress code.

How It's Used

Legal

"The company sought an exemption from the new environmental regulations."

Taxation

"The tax exemption allowed her to save a significant amount of money."

Synonyms & Antonyms

Idioms & expressions

Tax exemption

Freedom from paying a certain tax.

"Non-profit organizations often qualify for tax exemptions."

Religious exemption

A special exception granted from a law or regulation based on religious beliefs.

"Some groups claim religious exemption from vaccination laws"

From Middle French *exemption* or directly from Latin *exemptio* (“a taking out, release”), from *eximere* (“to take out, free”), from *ex-* (“out”) + *emere* (“to take, buy”).

The word 'exemption' has been used since the 15th century to denote the act of freeing or releasing someone from a duty or liability.

Memory tip

Think of being 'exempt' from something: it's the 'exemption'.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"to take out, free"

tax exemptionreligious exemptionlegal exemptionmedical exemptiongrant an exemption

Common misspellings

exemtionexemptionexemshun

Usage

30%Spoken
70%Written