# injunction

/ˌɪnˈdʒəŋkʃən/ (US) · /ɪndʒˈʌŋkʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/injunction
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. legal court order

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

an official order from a court that stops someone from doing something.

For teachers: a judicial remedy in the form of a court order that compels a party to do or refrain from specific acts. Often used to prevent immediate harm before a full trial.

- The company sought a court injunction to stop the former employee from sharing secret information.
- The judge granted an interim injunction, effectively halting the construction project until the environmental impact study could be properly reviewed by the council.

Usage: Commonly used with the verbs 'grant', 'issue', 'seek', or 'lift'.

### 2. authoritative command

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Literary

a strong or formal instruction to do something.

For teachers: an authoritative warning or order; a precept or mandate issued by a person or body in power.

- The doctor's injunction against smoking was ignored by the patient.
- Despite the strict parental injunction against playing near the river, the children often wandered toward the water's edge after school.

## Examples

- The judge issued an injunction to stop the construction.
- The company sought a preliminary injunction to prevent their former employee from sharing trade secrets with a competitor.
- Legal experts argued that the permanent injunction against the publication of the documents constituted a form of prior restraint, sparking a debate over national security and press freedom.

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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.