prohibition

noun

pro·​hi·​bi·​tion ˌprō-ə-ˈbi-shən How to pronounce prohibition (audio)
also
ˌprō-hə- How to pronounce prohibition (audio)
1
: the act of prohibiting by authority
2
: an order to restrain or stop
3
often capitalized : the forbidding by law of the manufacture, transportation, and sale of alcoholic liquors except for medicinal and sacramental purposes

Examples of prohibition in a Sentence

the city's prohibition of smoking in restaurants a prohibition against parking on the street
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In 2010 Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission invalidated the federal prohibition on corporate structures spending money on their own political ads and messaging. Leah Litman, TIME, 28 Feb. 2025 Some initiatives to keep spring break safe are still in place from Feb. 23 until April 12, like additional police presence and prohibitions on coolers, alcohol and amplified music on the beach. Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2025 They were charged with resisting or obstructing officers and a noise prohibition infraction. Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 7 Mar. 2025 The legislation would impose criminal and civil penalties and includes a prohibition that applies to any financial asset, such as the stock of Truth Social. John Parkinson, ABC News, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for prohibition

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of prohibition was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prohibition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prohibition. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

prohibition

noun
pro·​hi·​bi·​tion ˌprō-ə-ˈbish-ən How to pronounce prohibition (audio)
1
: the act of prohibiting
2
: an order forbidding something
3
often capitalized : the forbidding by law of the sale and manufacture of alcoholic beverages

Legal Definition

prohibition

noun
pro·​hi·​bi·​tion ˌprō-ə-ˈbi-shən How to pronounce prohibition (audio)
1
a
: an extraordinary writ issued by a higher court commanding an inferior court to keep within its proper jurisdiction (as by ceasing a prosecution)
b
: an order to refrain or stop
2
a
: something (as a law) that prohibits a certain act or procedure
b
capitalized : the period from 1920 to 1933 in the U.S. when the manufacture, transportation, and sale of alcoholic liquors was prohibited by the Eighteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
prohibitive adjective
prohibitively adverb
prohibitory adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on prohibition

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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