ENGLISH
REFERENCE

prohibits

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //pɹoʊˈhɪbəts// UK //pɹəhˈɪbɪts// pro·hibits

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

v. to formally forbid something by law, rule, or other authority; to prevent or make impossible. Often used in legal or administrative contexts.


SIMPLE

The law prohibits smoking in public buildings.

CONTEXTUAL

The new policy strictly prohibits the use of personal mobile phones during working hours to ensure maximum productivity.

COMPLEX

While the constitution protects free speech, it prohibits the incitement of violence or the spread of information that endangers national security.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage

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

Pitfall

The rule prohibits to park hereThe rule prohibits parking hereProhibit is followed by a gerund (-ing form) or a 'from' phrase, not a to-infinitive.

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