proscription
Americannoun
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the act of proscribing.
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the state of being proscribed.
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the act of making something unlawful or illegal; interdiction or prohibition.
noun
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the act of proscribing or the state of being proscribed
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denunciation, prohibition, or exclusion
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outlawry or ostracism
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of proscription
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English proscripcioun, from Latin prōscrīptiōn- (stem of prōscrīptiō ) “public notice of confiscation or outlawry,” equivalent to prōscrīpt(us) (past participle of prōscrībere “to proscribe ”) + -iōn- -ion
Explanation
Condemning something or banishing someone is proscription. For safety reasons, there's a proscription against carrying fireworks with you on an airplane. You'll have to leave those bottle rockets at home. The term proscription was first used in ancient Rome for official banishment and other government-sanctioned punishments. The word comes from the Latin proscribere, "publish in writing," and historically proscriptions involved publishing the names of people considered enemies of the state. You can also use the word for things like your grandpa's proscription against candy or your school's proscription against wearing pajamas to class.
Vocabulary lists containing proscription
Academic and Literary Vocabulary and Vocabulary from Readings 1, Unit 4
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Novel Study: Julius Caesar, Acts 4–5
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Time for Andrew: A Ghost Story
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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.
She said the judges recognised the proscription of an organisation like Palestine Acton was "highly controversial" and that it was supported by "many otherwise lawful citizens".
From BBC ● Jun. 15, 2026
In a report, Hall recommended a law change that would give the government powers "equivalent to proscription under the Terrorism Act 2000".
From BBC ● Apr. 24, 2026
The High Court ruled on 30 July that proscription of the group, which has carried out break-ins at defence firms linked to Israel as part of direct action protests, should be reviewed.
From BBC ● Aug. 7, 2025
The proscription order will now go before the Lords on Thursday where it is likely to pass.
From BBC ● Jul. 2, 2025
He went to Spain by way of France, where he was under political proscription, and this gave offence to the government of that country.
From The History of Cuba, vol. 3 by Johnson, Willis Fletcher
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.
