ɪˈlɪ.ʒ(ə)n̩ əkˈsɛpʃən ɪksˈkluːʒən a deliberate act of omission with the exception of the children, everyone was told the news an instance that does not conform to a rule or generalization all her children were brilliant; the only exception was her last child an exception tests the rule grounds for adverse criticism his authority is beyond exception