taboo

1 of 3

adjective

ta·​boo tə-ˈbü How to pronounce taboo (audio)
ta-
variants or less commonly tabu
1
a
: banned on grounds of morality or taste
the subject is taboo
b
: banned as constituting a risk
the area beyond is taboo, still alive with explosivesRobert Leckie
2
: forbidden to profane use or contact because of what are held to be dangerous supernatural powers

taboo

2 of 3

noun

variants or less commonly tabu
plural taboos also tabus
1
a
: a prohibition imposed by social custom or as a protective measure
… they may have developed a taboo against eating fish.Jared Diamond
b
: something that is not acceptable to say, mention, or do : something that is taboo
… the tacticians in a conservative Republican Administration now deem membership in the club a taboo.Peter J. Boyer
2
: a prohibition against touching, saying, or doing something for fear of immediate harm from a supernatural force
3
: belief in taboos

taboo

3 of 3

verb

variants or less commonly tabu
tabooed also tabued; tabooing also tabuing; taboos also tabus

transitive verb

1
: to set apart as taboo especially by marking with a ritualistic symbol
2
: to avoid or ban as taboo

Examples of taboo in a Sentence

Adjective Sex is a taboo subject for many people. In this company, dating a coworker is considered taboo. Noun religious taboos against drinking alcohol Marrying a close relative is a taboo in many cultures.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Some will need convincing; others are already convinced and simply need a sign that diplomacy is no longer taboo. Samuel Charap, Foreign Affairs, 5 Mar. 2024 Fashion pioneer: Meet a man who built a business selling undergarments to male cross-dressers and transgender women in the 1970s, when doing so was more taboo. David Leonhardt, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2024 Rather than perpetuating a taboo, healthy companies address the subject early, identify the specific mindset of each individual, and gently guide them towards a different and more constructive future. Graham Ward, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2024 Here, the idea of pleather is taboo and cowboy hats are an everyday accessory. Katie Akin, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2024 If not exactly taboo, crying in men’s sports was once considered a sign of weakness. Scott Cacciola, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2024 Within this debate, activists say, lynchings remain a taboo topic. Rachel Hatzipanagos, Washington Post, 29 Jan. 2024 In a country where national history is so important that the president has a special memorial adviser, the history of slavery — and its lingering effects — remains largely taboo. Catherine Porter, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2024 Skincare Can Be a Plus for Hygiene Taking care of your skin shouldn't be taboo, no matter your age or gender. Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 19 Jan. 2024
Noun
The 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre remains one of the most sensitive political taboos in mainland China. Oscar Holland, CNN, 20 Mar. 2024 Indeed, its taboo hits a raw emotional nerve; think of the Seinfeld episode in which Kramer prepares salad while showering and later serves it to Elaine and her coworker. Jonathan Dale / The Takeout, Quartz, 17 Mar. 2024 Female secrets touch on taboos such as sexuality, violence and mental health. Marta Balaga, Variety, 21 Feb. 2024 This notion of human connectivity is also taboo and will be relevant later. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2024 The taboos of the past against buying preloved items have faded away, creating a new sub-category for green-conscious consumers looking for investment pieces that (at least in their eyes) don’t cost the earth. Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 3 Mar. 2024 But apart from all of that, one thing that Germany has achieved with its legalization of cannabis for personal use is breaking a taboo that has criminalized cannabis consumption in the country for too long. Dario Sabaghi, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024 Still, shades of the spicy and taboo are still summoned downtown through the occasional performance art, such as a burlesque show at the Amsterdam Bar on Wabasha Street or drag show at the Camp Bar on Robert Street. Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 4 Feb. 2024 This trend breaks down societal taboos around discussing personal finances, fostering more supportive and understanding social circles as people become attuned to each other's financial situations. Bernadette Joy, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024
Verb
Basically, Pluto rules taboo topics that lie under the surface and that are hard to talk about. Elizabeth Gulino, refinery29.com, 27 Apr. 2021 Simply repurposing her stylish wardrobe, which is normally taboo in Hollywood. Sara M Moniuszko, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2020 Create an open dialogue and refuse to let anything be taboo between you two. Annie Lane, oregonlive, 23 Mar. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'taboo.' 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

Adjective

Tongan tabu

First Known Use

Adjective

1777, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1777, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1777, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of taboo was in 1777

Dictionary Entries Near taboo

Cite this Entry

“Taboo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/taboo. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

taboo

1 of 2 adjective
ta·​boo
variants also tabu
: prohibited by a taboo

taboo

2 of 2 noun
variants also tabu
plural taboos also tabus
1
: a prohibition against touching, saying, or doing something for fear of immediate harm by a superhuman force
2
: a prohibition established by social custom
Etymology

Adjective

from tabu, a word in a language of the people of a South Sea island, meaning "taboo"

Medical Definition

taboo

1 of 2 noun
ta·​boo
variants also tabu
plural taboos also tabus
1
: a prohibition in some cultures against touching, saying, or doing something for fear of immediate harm from a mysterious superhuman force
2
: a prohibition imposed by social custom or as a protective measure
the view that incest, not cannibalism, was the world's first tabooPhyllis Grosskurth
3
: belief in taboos
taboo adjective
also tabu

taboo

2 of 2 transitive verb
variants also tabu
: to avoid or ban as taboo

More from Merriam-Webster on taboo

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