Word
Definition
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.
Examples
“The new law will prohibit smoking in public parks.”
“The school rules strictly prohibit the use of mobile phones during final examinations to prevent cheating.”
“While the constitution protects free speech, it does not prohibit the government from regulating the time and place of public demonstrations to ensure safety.”
Examples
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.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “prohibit” in context.
Verb
01. prohibit use
“New safety regulations strictly prohibit use of mobile phones while operating heavy machinery.”
verb + noun
Usage
The verb is transitive and often follows the pattern 'prohibit something' or 'prohibit someone from doing something'.
Pitfall
The law prohibits to smoke here
The law prohibits smoking here
Prohibit is followed by a gerund (-ing form) or a noun phrase, not an infinitive.
Real-World Examples
“As occupied land, international law prohibits Israel from settling it.” “South Carolina is the first state to pass a law that prohibits no-zero grading, allowing teachers to give below a minimum grade of 50 or 60.” Etymology
From Middle English prohibiten, from Latin prohibeō (“I fend off, prevent, prohibit”) (through past participle prohibitus).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/prohibit
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0