objection

Pluralobjections

1. 1
   nouncountable

   A statement expressing opposition to something, or a reason for that opposition.

   Several committee members voiced objections to the proposed budget cuts.

   Her objection to the merger rested on concerns about job losses.

   Similarcomplaint, quarrel

   Note

   Here the word names what is said, or the reason behind it, and it counts like any noun: someone may have strong objections, several, or none at all. The thing opposed is introduced by to, as in an objection to the budget or no objection to any person's religion. Complaint and quarrel stand close by, but an objection is a stated stand against something rather than a grievance or a dispute.

2. 2
   nouncountable or uncountable

   The act of expressing opposition or raising a reason against something.

   Her objection brought the negotiations to a sudden halt.

   The proposal passed without objection from any member of the board.

   Similaropposition, protest, dissent

   Oppositeapproval, agreement

   Note

   Behind the whole family stands Latin obiectio, which reached English through Old French objeccion and Middle French objection. In English terms it is simply the verb object plus -ion. Here the noun names the act itself, so it can stand without an article, as in a motion that passed without objection. A last-minute objection describes when the act came, not what it said.

3. 3
   nouncountable

   A formal protest raised during a trial when the opposing party violates the court's rules.

   Defense counsel raised an objection to the prosecutor's leading question.

   The court overruled her objection and allowed the evidence to stand.

   Note

   Courtroom procedure gives the word its own verbs: counsel raises an objection, and the judge either sustains it or overrules it. A sustained objection keeps the contested question, answer or exhibit out of the case. An overruled one lets it stand but preserves the issue for appeal. The argument over it may take place outside the jury's hearing, as the Illinois Appellate Reports of 1994 record.

4. 4
   interjectionUS

   A courtroom exclamation asserting that a question or statement violates the rules of the court.

   "Objection!" the attorney declared, rising quickly from her seat.

   Before the answer came, defense counsel called out, "Objection, relevance."

   Note

   The spoken form of the formal courtroom protest, called out as counsel interrupts, and chiefly a feature of US trial practice. It usually comes with a brief ground for the judge to rule on, such as relevance or hearsay, or with a fuller complaint addressed to the bench as Your Honor. As a one-word exclamation it belongs to the courtroom. Elsewhere, speakers use the noun instead: I have an objection.

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