# preclude

/pɹiˈkɫud/ (US) · /pɹɪklˈuːd/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/preclude
Updated: 2026-05-11

## Definition

to prevent something from happening or to make it impossible. You use this when one situation automatically stops another from being an option.

For teachers: to prevent the occurrence of an event or to make an action impossible. Often implies a logical or structural barrier that rules out a possibility.

## Examples

- His busy schedule will preclude him from attending the meeting.
- The existing contract contains several clauses that preclude the company from selling its shares to a competitor.
- While the initial findings are promising, the small sample size does not preclude the possibility that the results were influenced by external variables.

## Pitfalls

- Not "preclude to happen" but "preclude from happening" — Preclude is followed by 'from' and an -ing verb, not a 'to' infinitive.

## Usage notes

- The verb is transitive and frequently takes the preposition 'from' followed by a gerund.

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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.