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prohibit

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //pɹoʊˈhɪbət// UK //pɹəhˈɪbɪt// pro·hib·it Academic General-service

v. to officially forbid something or make it illegal. You use this when a law or a rule says you cannot do a specific action.

v. to forbid something by authority, law, or regulation; to prevent an action from occurring. Transitive — requires a direct object.


SIMPLE

The new law will prohibit smoking in public parks.

CONTEXTUAL

The school rules strictly prohibit the use of mobile phones during final examinations to prevent cheating.

COMPLEX

While the constitution protects free speech, it does not prohibit the government from regulating the time and place of public demonstrations to ensure safety.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From Middle English prohibiten, from Latin prohibeō (“I fend off, prevent, prohibit”) (through past participle prohibitus).

Usage

The verb is transitive and often follows the pattern 'prohibit something' or 'prohibit someone from doing something'.

Pitfall

The law prohibits to smoke hereThe law prohibits smoking hereProhibit is followed by a gerund (-ing form) or a noun phrase, not an infinitive.

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