preclude

verb

pre·​clude pri-ˈklüd 

precluded; precluding

transitive verb

1

: to make impossible by necessary consequence : rule out in advance

2

archaic : close

preclusion

pri-ˈklü-zhən 

noun

preclusive

pri-ˈklü-siv 

-ziv

adjective

preclusively adverb

Did you know?

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.

Synonyms

• prevent
• avert

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

In precluding the former and approving the latter, the Consumers' Research approach does nothing to vindicate the nondelegation doctrine or the separation of powers. —ArsTechnica, 27 June 2025

The Act does not purport to address, much less preclude, district court review in enforcement proceedings. —Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025

Permanent marking was, after all, permanent—precluding reincorporation into society. —Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 4 June 2025

Though most of that funding had already been paid out, Rogers is concerned that the administration’s crackdown on diversity, equity and inclusion programs could preclude future grants. —Bracey Harris, NBC news, 25 May 2025

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

Rhymes for preclude

• accrued
• allude
• collude
• conclude
• construed
• debuted
• delude
• elude
• endued
• ensued
• eschewed
• etude

Kids Definition

preclude

verb

pre·​clude pri-ˈklüd 

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 

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 assert

—Roach 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 Act

—National Law Journal

preclusion

-ˈklü-zhən 

noun

preclusive

-ˈklü-siv 

adjective