# banned

/ˈbænd/ (US) · /bˈænd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/banned
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. forbidden

adjective · CEFR B1

not allowed because of an official rule or law.

For teachers: prohibited by official decree, law, or institutional rule.

- The use of plastic bags is now banned in many cities to protect the environment.
- The committee released a list of banned substances that athletes are strictly prohibited from using during the competition.

Usage: often used as a predicative adjective after the verb 'to be'

## Examples

- The city banned smoking in all public parks.
- After the athlete failed the drug test, the committee banned him from professional competition for two years.
- The government recently banned the export of certain raw materials to protect domestic manufacturing interests and ensure a stable supply for local industries.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.