prohibited
Americanadjective
verb
Other Word Forms
- unprohibited adjective
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.
All the more interesting is that this comes from a group of men who trusted the people to find and practice what the First Amendment prohibited the government from imposing upon them.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026
After a series of Supreme Court decisions prohibited school-sponsored prayer and devotional activity, many schools grew cautious of discussing faith or religion.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026
"Beijing's intention, in short, is to internalise the cross-strait issue, treating it as a domestic matter for China, with foreign intervention prohibited," Mainland Affairs Council spokesman Liang Wen-chieh said Thursday.
From Barron's • Apr. 5, 2026
"In addition, the return of more than 600,000 residents of southern Lebanon who evacuated northward will be completely prohibited south of the Litani until the safety and security of northern residents are ensured," he added.
From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026
"His Grace has prohibited all feasting until such time as the war is won."
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
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.
