gatekeep

[ geyt-keep ]

verb (used with or without object)

, gate·kept, gate·keep·ing.

1. to control access to something, or determine the legitimacy of people’s claims to a particular status, by unilaterally imposing criteria for acceptance:

   We gatekeep the counseling profession at the university level—anyone not making the grade is dropped from the program.

   I can't believe you’re trying to gatekeep depression based on your own symptoms.

Word History and Origins

Origin of gatekeep¹

First recorded in 1960–65; gate ¹( def ) + keep ( def )