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 Prohibition
: 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
Even though there are prohibitions on slavery, the institution persists across the world.
—
Literary Hub, 12 Dec. 2025
Most employers have prohibitions against harassment on the basis of gender identity and have made efforts to create an inclusive environment for transgender employees.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 11 Dec. 2025
Another effort in 2024 saw the provision, featuring a prohibition on outbound investments, included in a year-end government funding bill.
—Julia Shapero, The Hill, 9 Dec. 2025
If the facts align with reporting that survivors were intentionally targeted, international law experts say the order could fall under prohibitions against killing persons who are hors de combat—those incapable of fighting—which is barred under the Geneva Conventions.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prohibition
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Literary Hub, 12 Dec. 2025
Most employers have prohibitions against harassment on the basis of gender identity and have made efforts to create an inclusive environment for transgender employees.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 11 Dec. 2025
Another effort in 2024 saw the provision, featuring a prohibition on outbound investments, included in a year-end government funding bill.
—Julia Shapero, The Hill, 9 Dec. 2025
If the facts align with reporting that survivors were intentionally targeted, international law experts say the order could fall under prohibitions against killing persons who are hors de combat—those incapable of fighting—which is barred under the Geneva Conventions.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 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 20 Dec. 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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