prohibition

noun

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

Synonyms of prohibition

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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.
But those who favor regulation say prohibition won’t eliminate demand for popular products. — A.j. Herrington, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Of those, 15 were incorporated on a single day, all using variations of the same suite number, despite prohibitions on hospices using the same office. — Jason Henry, Daily News, 9 Aug. 2026 When the commission revisited its happy hour prohibition in 2017, Naperville was starting to get a handle on its alcohol issues. — Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026 Stranahan’s was founded more than two decades ago in 2004, becoming the first legal distillery to call Colorado home since Prohibition. — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prohibition

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of prohibition was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing prohibition

Rhymes for prohibition

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Browse Nearby Words

prohibiter
prohibition
prohibitionist
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Cite this Entry

“Prohibition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prohibition. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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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
prō-ˈhi-bə-tiv How to pronounce prohibition (audio)
adjective
prohibitively adverb
prohibitory
-ˈhi-bə-ˌtōr-ē How to pronounce prohibition (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on prohibition

Nglish: Translation of prohibition for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about prohibition

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