prohibition
noun
pro·hi·bi·tion
ˌprō-ə-ˈbi-shən 
also
ˌprō-hə-
1
: the act of prohibiting by authority
2
: an order to restrain or stop
3
often capitalized
: the forbidding by law of the manufacture, transportation, and sale of alcoholic liquors except for medicinal and sacramental purposes
Examples of prohibition in a Sentence
the city's prohibition of smoking in restaurants
a prohibition against parking on the street
Recent Examples on the Web
The act also outlines requirements and prohibitions for companies conducting business in Texas or producing a product or service consumed by Texas residents.
—
Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
While many changes to Medicaid are scheduled to take effect in the coming years, one immediate effect is a one-year prohibition on Medicaid funding for reproductive health care providers that perform abortions.
—Dené K. Dryden, Twin Cities, 29 July 2025
The 65-year-old filmmaker has been banned from making movies by Iranian authorities and has faced multiple arrests, detentions and travel prohibitions.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 July 2025
The ruling was quickly picked up by haredi news outlets, with some dramatic headlines interpreting the text as a formal prohibition.
—Deborah Danan, Sun Sentinel, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for prohibition
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
While many changes to Medicaid are scheduled to take effect in the coming years, one immediate effect is a one-year prohibition on Medicaid funding for reproductive health care providers that perform abortions.
—Dené K. Dryden, Twin Cities, 29 July 2025
The 65-year-old filmmaker has been banned from making movies by Iranian authorities and has faced multiple arrests, detentions and travel prohibitions.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 July 2025
The ruling was quickly picked up by haredi news outlets, with some dramatic headlines interpreting the text as a formal prohibition.
—Deborah Danan, Sun Sentinel, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for prohibition
Cite this Entry
“Prohibition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prohibition. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prohibition
noun
pro·hi·bi·tion
ˌprō-ə-ˈbish-ən
1
: the act of prohibiting
2
: an order forbidding something
3
often capitalized
: the forbidding by law of the sale and manufacture of alcoholic beverages
Legal Definition
prohibition
noun
pro·hi·bi·tion
ˌprō-ə-ˈbi-shən
1
a
: an extraordinary writ issued by a higher court commanding an inferior court to keep within its proper jurisdiction (as by ceasing a prosecution)
b
: an order to refrain or stop
2
a
: something (as a law) that prohibits a certain act or procedure
b
capitalized
: the period from 1920 to 1933 in the U.S. when the manufacture, transportation, and sale of alcoholic liquors was prohibited by the Eighteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share