1
: to order (someone) not to do something
I forbid you to go!
She was forbidden by her parents to marry him.
She was forbidden from marrying him.
2
formal
: to say that (something) is not allowed
The museum forbids flash photography.
The company's rules forbid dating among employees.
Cite this Entry
“Forbid.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/forbid. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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