disqualification

American  

[dis-kwol-uh-fi-key-shuhn] / dɪsˌkwɒl ə fɪˈkeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. an act or instance of disqualifying.

2. the state of being disqualified.

3. something that disqualifies.

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Etymology

Origin of disqualification

First recorded in 1705–15; disquali(fy) + -fication

Explanation

A situation or fact that means you're not allowed or able to participate in something is a disqualification. Being born in a non-US country is a disqualification for becoming President of the United States. Not speaking French might be a disqualification for studying in France, and being over 18 is a disqualification for participating in Little League baseball. Another kind of disqualification is the action of preventing someone from doing something, often for a specific time period: "His disqualification from participating in bowling tournaments lasts until next year." Qualify, from the Latin qualis, "of what sort?" came to mean "be fit for a job." The prefix dis- means "not."

Example Sentences

The logical structure is identical, and the disqualification is the same.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

Heraskevych appealed his disqualification to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which ruled against him.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 16, 2026

The Olympian didn’t budge, and the standoff ended with his disqualification.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 15, 2026

Pushing off before the lights go out results in heavy penalties or even disqualification and that led to many of the sliders erring on the side of caution with some hesitant starts.

From BBC • Feb. 15, 2026

In those few European countries that permit limited postprison disqualification, the sanction is very narrowly tailored and the number of people disenfranchised is probably in the dozens or hundreds.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander

Related Words

• elimination
• exclusion