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.
Jamie Bennett has been charged with failing to comply with a prohibited assembly direction.
From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026
Preaching on commercial buses was first prohibited in Ghana in 2012, with offenders facing up to 30 days in prison.
From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2026
The news outlet also reviewed footage obtained from inside the correctional facility which showed Combs using a phone, a prohibited item across state and federal prisons.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026
As the value of broadcast rights for college football and basketball skyrocketed into the billions of dollars, college-sports rules still prohibited athletes from capitalizing on their fame.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026
It would have been easier for her to sit on the edge of the bed, but that was unprofessional and strictly prohibited.
From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan
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.
