# expulsion

/ɪkˈspəɫʃən/ (US) · /ɛkspˈʌlʃən/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/expulsion
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

the act of forcing someone to leave a place or an organization forever. This usually happens because the person did something very wrong, like breaking a school rule or a law.

For teachers: the formal act of forcing someone to leave an institution, such as a school, or a country. Refers to a permanent removal rather than a temporary suspension.

## Examples

- The student faced expulsion for cheating on the final exam.
- The committee voted for his expulsion from the club after he repeatedly violated the code of conduct.
- The sudden expulsion of foreign diplomats led to a significant breakdown in communication between the two nations, as neither side was willing to negotiate further.

## Pitfalls

- Not "his expulsion from the school was for two weeks" but "his suspension from the school was for two weeks" — Expulsion is permanent; for a temporary removal, the correct term is 'suspension'.

## Usage notes

- Uncountable when referring to the general process; countable when referring to a specific instance or event.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.