prohibit
/prə(ʊ)ˈhɪbɪt
/verb (prohibits, prohibiting, prohibited) [with object]
1Formally forbid (something) by law, rule, or other authority: all ivory trafficking between nations is prohibited...
- There, for example, the Court held that drug laws can prohibit the use of the narcotic peyote in a religious ceremony.
- Polygynous marriages were not prohibited by colonial law.
- Only business communications are covered unless the policy specifically prohibits private use of e-mail and the internet.
Synonyms
forbid, ban, bar, interdict, veto, proscribe, make illegal, place an embargo on, embargo, disallow, outlaw;
taboo;
Law enjoin, restrain
forbidden, banned, not allowed, not permitted, illegal, illicit, against the law, barred, vetoed, proscribed, embargoed, disallowed, outlawed, contraband;
taboo;
Latin non licet;
German verboten;
Islam haram;
New Zealand tapu
informal no go
1.1Formally forbid someone from doing something: he is prohibited from becoming a director...
- As a public university, we are prohibited from spending state funds on partisan political activity or direct political advocacy.
- He was immediately prohibited from engaging in strenuous activity.
- He is prohibited from operating firearms for 10 years and must get counselling at the discretion of his probation officer.
1.2(Of a fact or situation) make (something) impossible; prevent: the budget agreement had prohibited any tax cuts...
- Nurses may be presented with exceptional or life-threatening situations prohibiting the use of assistive patient handling equipment.
- The efficiency audit said there were too many vested local interests on health boards, which prevent change and prohibit the delivery of a value-for-money service.
- A low fluid level switch is provided to prohibit operation and prevent potential burnout if solution falls below a pre-set level.
Synonyms
prevent, stop, rule out, preclude, make impossible, hinder, impede, hamper, obstruct, restrict, constrain
Derivatives
prohibiter
prohibitor
- And it is cost that seems to be the biggest prohibitor to businesses in Scotland embracing any new technology, never mind broadband.
prohibitory
- They might not bring in totally restrictive and prohibitory provisions because they know the Minister will not approve them anyway.
- Without strong prohibitory measures, this diabolic spirit disseminated by television channels cannot be done away with.
- Nearly 206 years ago, the British regime issued the first prohibitory orders against shooting birds.
Origin
Late Middle English: from Latin prohibit- 'kept in check', from the verb prohibere, from pro- 'in front' + habere 'to hold'.