Exceptions to using the definite article ‘the’

There is no article:

with names of countries (if singular)

• Germany is an important economic power.
• He’s just returned from Zimbabwe.
  (But: I’m visiting the United States next week.)

with the names of languages

• French is spoken in Tahiti.
• English uses many words of Latin origin.
• Indonesian is a relatively new language.

with the names of meals.

• Lunch is at midday.
• Dinner is in the evening.
• Breakfast is the first meal of the day.

with people’s names (if singular):

• John‘s coming to the party.
• George King is my uncle.
• (But: we’re having lunch with the Morgans tomorrow.)

with titles and names:

• Prince Charles is Queen Elizabeth’s son.
• President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas.
• Dr. Watson was Sherlock Holmes’ friend.
• (But: the Queen of England, the Pope.)

After the ‘s possessive case:

• His brother’s car. 
• Peter’s house.

with professions

• Engineering is a useful career.
• He’ll probably go into medicine.

with names of shops

• I’ll get the card at Smith’s.
• Can you go to Boots for me?
• (Unless is part of the name – e.g. The Body Shop)

with years:

• 1948 was a wonderful year.
• Do you remember 1995?

With uncountable nouns:

• Rice is the main food in Asia.
• Milk is often added to tea in England.
• War is destructive.

with the names of individual mountains, lakes and islands:

• Mount McKinley is the highest mountain in Alaska.
• She lives near Lake Windermere.
• Have you visited Long Island?

with most names of towns, streets, stations and airports:

• Victoria Station is in the centre of London.
• Can you direct me to Bond Street?
• She lives in Florence.
• They’re flying from Heathrow.

in some fixed expressions, for example:

• by car
• by train
• by air
• on foot
• on holiday
• on air (in broadcasting)
• at school
• at work
• at University
• in church
• in prison
• in bed