prohibited
Americanadjective
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of prohibited
Explanation
When something is prohibited, it's not allowed. If you see the sign "Swimming is prohibited," stay out of the water. Whether used as a verb ("You prohibited your friend from entering") or an adjective ("The prohibited word escaped your lips"), prohibited means something was forbidden — a no-no. You often see it in signs like "Smoking prohibited." It's a strong word, indicating that something is banned and suggesting dire consequences if the ban is not obeyed. On the other hand, when something is prohibited it might seem more appealing.
Vocabulary lists containing prohibited
"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, Chapters 12–15
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The 18th Amendment (1919)
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"Jim Crow Laws"
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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.
It added: "In the majority of instances, the Court found that the relevant strategy did not constitute a prohibited defeat device."
From BBC • Jul. 10, 2026
Clayton County, the court held that federal law’s prohibition on sex discrimination in employment also prohibited anti-transgender discrimination.
From Slate • Jul. 7, 2026
Russian financial assets are, for the vast majority of international investors, prohibited from a legal standpoint and impossible from an operational perspective.
From MarketWatch • Jul. 7, 2026
The policy states that flags in common areas or extending into common areas are prohibited.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 1, 2026
“Well, that metaphor is prohibited on today’s flight,” she said.
From "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
