Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

no-go area

British  

noun

  1. a district in a town that is barricaded off, usually by a paramilitary organization, within which the police, army, etc, can only enter by force

  2. an area that is barred to certain individuals, groups, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Still, the notice, which came with a map of a rectangular no-go area in the middle of the waterway, circulated widely between sailors.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

Community leader Oriyomi Akeem said Slum Party has helped bring peace to a neighbourhood once known as a no-go area overrun by gangs.

From Reuters • Dec. 27, 2022

Criticism is rare; dissent is discouraged; the Kurdish issue is a no-go area.

From Washington Post • Nov. 16, 2021

"So imposing a no-go area could be very effective with a guy like this."

From BBC • Jan. 24, 2018

Such policies have today left much of middle Egypt a no-go area for unescorted Westerners.

From "Circumference" by Nicholas Nicastro