prohibition
noun
pro·hi·bi·tion
ˌprō-ə-ˈbi-shən 
also
ˌprō-hə-
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
The video was published by her mother, Lia Llanes, a U.S. permanent resident living in Miami, in one of the several Facebook groups where Cubans are discussing the new prohibitions.
—
Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 12 June 2025
Under the Endangered Species Act, animals that are listed in danger of extinction are given protections — like the protection of critical habitat and prohibitions on hunting — and recovery plans.
—Clark Corbin, Idaho Statesman, 12 June 2025
In January, California instituted its own prohibitions on health care providers and debt collectors from reporting medical debt to credit agencies.
—J.j. McCorvey, NBC news, 11 June 2025
While California has sanctuary laws that limit police from directly helping immigration enforcement, former federal officials tell CNN there’s no prohibition against Immigration and Customs Enforcement sharing basic details about raids with police or government officials.
—Audrey Ash, CNN Money, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for prohibition
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Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 12 June 2025
Under the Endangered Species Act, animals that are listed in danger of extinction are given protections — like the protection of critical habitat and prohibitions on hunting — and recovery plans.
—Clark Corbin, Idaho Statesman, 12 June 2025
In January, California instituted its own prohibitions on health care providers and debt collectors from reporting medical debt to credit agencies.
—J.j. McCorvey, NBC news, 11 June 2025
While California has sanctuary laws that limit police from directly helping immigration enforcement, former federal officials tell CNN there’s no prohibition against Immigration and Customs Enforcement sharing basic details about raids with police or government officials.
—Audrey Ash, CNN Money, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for prohibition
Cite this Entry
“Prohibition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prohibition. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prohibition
noun
pro·hi·bi·tion
ˌprō-ə-ˈbish-ən
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
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
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