prohibition

noun

pro·​hi·​bi·​tion ˌprō-ə-ˈbi-shən How to pronounce prohibition (audio)
also
ˌprō-hə- How to pronounce prohibition (audio)
Synonyms of prohibitionnext
1
: the act of prohibiting by authority
2
: an order to restrain or stop
3
often Prohibition : the forbidding by law of the manufacture, transportation, and sale of alcoholic liquors except for medicinal and sacramental purposes

Synonyms of prohibition

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Examples of prohibition in a Sentence

the city's prohibition of smoking in restaurants a prohibition against parking on the street
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And prohibitions or not getting involved just gives you less insight into what’s going to happen. — Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2026 The commercials in question aired in violation of a decades-old congressional prohibition against using federal money for unauthorized publicity and propaganda. — Stephanie A, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026 The new lawsuit says that prohibitions like the ones aimed at CNN, MS NOW and Politico — which a judge has paused — violate the rights of ordinary citizens. — Scott Nover, Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2026 Noncitizens who knowingly violate the prohibition on casting ballots can face fines or up to a year in prison under federal law or a state sentence of up to three years in county jail. — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prohibition

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of prohibition was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing prohibition

Rhymes for prohibition

See All Rhymes for prohibition

Browse Nearby Words

prohibiter
prohibition
prohibitionist
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Cite this Entry

“Prohibition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prohibition. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

prohibition

noun
pro·​hi·​bi·​tion ˌprō-ə-ˈbish-ən How to pronounce prohibition (audio)
1
: the act of prohibiting
2
: an order forbidding something
3
often capitalized : the forbidding by law of the sale and manufacture of alcoholic beverages

Legal Definition

prohibition

noun
pro·​hi·​bi·​tion ˌprō-ə-ˈbi-shən How to pronounce prohibition (audio)
1
a
: an extraordinary writ issued by a higher court commanding an inferior court to keep within its proper jurisdiction (as by ceasing a prosecution)
b
: an order to refrain or stop
2
a
: something (as a law) that prohibits a certain act or procedure
b
capitalized : the period from 1920 to 1933 in the U.S. when the manufacture, transportation, and sale of alcoholic liquors was prohibited by the Eighteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
prohibitive
prō-ˈhi-bə-tiv How to pronounce prohibition (audio)
adjective
prohibitively adverb
prohibitory
-ˈhi-bə-ˌtōr-ē How to pronounce prohibition (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on prohibition

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about prohibition

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