Word
prohibition
Phoneticspro·hi·bi·tion, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌpɹoʊəˈbɪʃən/
UK/pɹəhɪbˈɪʃən/
Definitions
01the act of forbidding
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Law Formal
n. the act of officially saying that something is not allowed, usually by making a law.
n. the formal act of forbidding something by law, command, or decree. Often used in legal or administrative contexts.
“The city council issued a prohibition on smoking in public parks.”
“The strict prohibition against the export of rare minerals has significantly impacted the local mining industry's profitability.”
Usage
Often followed by the preposition 'against' or 'on'.
Antonyms
02alcohol ban era
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun History American English
n. a time in history, especially in the US during the 1920s, when it was illegal to make or sell alcohol.
n. a specific historical period during which the manufacture, sale, and transport of alcoholic beverages were legally forbidden.
“During Prohibition, many people went to secret bars called speakeasies.”
“The era of Prohibition in the United States led to a dramatic rise in organized crime and the illegal distribution of spirits.”
Teaching tip
When referring to the specific US historical period (1920–1933), the word is usually capitalized as 'Prohibition'.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“The Afghan owner of the shop where I had bought my dholak was a fine musician who had fled to Pakistan rather than submit to the Taliban’s prohibition on music.” “These tariffs were set at 12.5% for countries without any formal prohibition on forced labor imports, and 10% for all other countries with such a prohibition.” Word family
VERB
NOUN
Domain
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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