preclude

verb

pre·​clude pri-ˈklüd How to pronounce preclude (audio)
precluded; precluding

transitive verb

1
: to make impossible by necessary consequence : rule out in advance
2
archaic : close
preclusion noun
preclusive adjective
preclusively adverb

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Preclude Uses Within and Outside Law

Preclude is often used in legal writing, where it usually refers to making something legally impossible. A new law may be passed by Congress to preclude any suits of a certain kind against a federal agency, for example. Some judges have found that the warnings on cigarette packs preclude any suits against the tobacco companies by lung-cancer sufferers. But there are plenty of nonlegal uses as well. Bad weather often precludes trips to the beach, and a lack of cash might preclude any beach vacation at all.

Examples of preclude in a Sentence

I fear these things, but vaguely, for my brain buzzes in the merciful wash of endorphins that preclude any thought from occupying it too long. Louise Erdrich, Harper's, May 1993
… the institution [of slavery] in the United States was almost uniquely despotic, a closed system so powerful and totalitarian that organized insurrection was almost entirely precluded … William Styron, American Heritage, October 1992
But conceptual blinders can preclude observation, while most accurate generalities guarantee no proper resolution of specific anatomies, but can certainly guide perceptions along fruitful paths. Stephen Jay Gould, Wonderful Life, 1989
… the same profusion of water that precluded overland travel in the summer months could, during the sledgehammer freeze of winter, be utilized as a natural highway—albeit a highway of ice. Jon Krakauer, Smithsonian, November 1987
She suffered an injury that precluded the possibility of an athletic career. Bad weather precluded any further attempts to reach the summit.
Recent Examples on the Web Early last year, Jio became the new streaming home in India for HBO, Max Original and Warner Bros content, effectively precluding the launch of HBO Max in India in the near to medium future. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 Feb. 2024 Next month, the high court will hear arguments in a case that weighs whether the First Amendment precludes government officials from pressuring tech companies to remove content. Cat zakrzewski, Washington Post, 26 Feb. 2024 To name just one example, the moratorium precluding customs duties on electronic transmissions is up for renewal. Thani Al Zeyoudi, Fortune, 23 Feb. 2024 But storms in the area may preclude the race from taking the green flag when scheduled. Travis Caldwell, CNN, 18 Feb. 2024 Must clean equipment at a frequency that precludes soils and mold. Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Jan. 2024 Critics argue that the Act, by its nature, precludes a fair trial for those accused of espionage by limiting the defense's ability to argue the public interest of their disclosures. Susie Violet Ward, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 So that actually precluded us from going to a lot of the actors from the original show. Nick Romano, EW.com, 16 Feb. 2024 Under department regulations, a special counsel submits a confidential report to the attorney general, explaining his or her decisions whether to prosecute (Justice Department policy precludes charging sitting presidents). Perry Stein, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'preclude.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin praecludere, from prae- + claudere to close — more at close entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1513, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of preclude was circa 1513

Dictionary Entries Near preclude

Cite this Entry

“Preclude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preclude. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

preclude

verb
pre·​clude pri-ˈklüd How to pronounce preclude (audio)
precluded; precluding
: to make impossible beforehand : prevent
the injury precluded the possibility of a career in sports

Legal Definition

preclude

transitive verb
pre·​clude pri-ˈklüd How to pronounce preclude (audio)
precluded; precluding
: to prevent or exclude by necessary consequence: as
a
: to prevent (a party) from litigating an action or claim especially by collateral estoppel or res judicata
they are precluded only because they failed to assert…the grounds for recovery they now assertRoach v. Teamsters Local Union No. 688, 595 F.2d 446 (1979)
b
: to prevent (a claim or action) from being litigated especially by collateral estoppel or res judicata
the Civil Service Reform Act provides the exclusive address for adverse federal employment actions and thus precludes claims brought under the Tort Claims ActNational Law Journal
preclusion noun
preclusive adjective

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