disbar

verb

dis·​bar dis-ˈbär 

disbarred; disbarring; disbars

transitive verb

: to expel from the bar or the legal profession : deprive (an attorney) of legal status and privileges

disbarment

dis-ˈbär-mənt 

noun

Examples of disbar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The referee recommended McNeilly, who waived her right to an evidentiary hearing, be disbarred, and the court agreed. —Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 2 Apr. 2025

Rudy Giuliani, a staunch Trump ally, was disbarred in Washington last fall for his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. —Sophia Vento, The Hill, 3 Jan. 2025

Caton’s attorneys filed to dismiss the charges after Oleson was disbarred from practicing law in Idaho, arguing that continuing with the case was improper and prejudiced their client. —Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 9 Apr. 2025

And of course, lawyers are routinely disbarred for taking on sensitive clients, like Hong Kong protestors. —Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1633, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for disbar

• adar
• afar
• ajar
• alar
• ansar
• bazaar
• bizarre
• boxcar
• boyar
• bulbar
• cachar
• cigar

Kids Definition

disbar

verb

dis·​bar dis-ˈbär 

disbarred; disbarring

: to deprive (a lawyer) of the right to work in the legal profession

disbarment

-ˈbär-mənt 

noun

Legal Definition

disbar

transitive verb

dis·​bar dis-ˈbär 

: to expel from the bar or the legal profession : deprive (an attorney) of a license to practice law usually for engaging in unethical or illegal practices compare debar

disbarment noun