ENGLISH
REFERENCE

objection

n.
US //əbˈdʒɛkʃən// UK //ɒbdʒˈɛkʃən// ob·jec·tion
  1. 1 disagreement or reason against (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a reason why you do not like or agree with a plan or idea.

    an expression or feeling of disapproval or opposition; a reason or argument presented against a proposal.

    Example

    The main objection to the new highway is that it will be too noisy for the neighbors.

    Example

    Despite several strong objections to the proposed budget cuts, the board decided to move forward with the plan anyway.

    Usage

    Usually followed by the preposition 'to' and a noun or gerund.

    Pitfall
    I have an objection against the new rule.
    I have an objection to the new rule.

    The noun 'objection' is almost always followed by the preposition 'to', not 'against'.

  2. 2 legal protest (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Technical Law

    a formal protest made in a court of law because a rule was broken.

    a formal protest raised during a trial or legal proceeding regarding a violation of the rules of evidence or procedure.

    Example

    The lawyer raised an objection when the witness started talking about rumors.

    Example

    The judge sustained the defense's objection, ruling that the prosecution's line of questioning was irrelevant to the current case.

    Usage

    Commonly used with the verbs 'raise', 'overrule', or 'sustain'.

Origin

From Middle French objection, from Old French objeccion, from Latin obiectio. Equivalent to object + -ion.

Word family

© 2026 English Reference