noun
Other Word Forms
- nonexpulsion noun
- reexpulsion noun
Etymology
Origin of expulsion
1350–1400; Middle English < Latin expulsiōn- (stem of expulsiō ), equivalent to expuls ( us ) driven out (past participle of expellere to expel ) + -iōn- -ion
Explanation
Don't ever make a joke about a bomb on an airplane, if you don't want to risk expulsion. Expulsion is being kicked out of something, like a club, a school, or an airplane. If a Girl Scout ate all the cookies she'd already sold, she might face expulsion from her Girl Scout troop, and an unruly high school student who threatens to hit a teacher risks expulsion from school. Historically, many religious and minority groups faced expulsion from countries where their beliefs weren't tolerated. In fact, the Latin root word of expulsion is expellere, "to drive out."
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The California Democrat and Texas Republican said they planned to leave Congress in the wake of sexual-misconduct allegations that sparked calls for them to quit or face expulsion votes.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026
Luna then coordinated with Leger Fernández, who had readied an expulsion resolution against Gonzales, to force out the pair almost simultaneously.
From Slate • Apr. 16, 2026
Both Swalwell and Gonzales were facing the threat of an expulsion vote.
From Salon • Apr. 13, 2026
She also said she suspects that the longer people stay, the more likely they are to violate the rules and face expulsion.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026
I knew they were just hoping I’d do or say something that would result in my expulsion.
From "Warriors Don't Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High" by Melba Pattillo Beals
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
