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 Prohibition
: 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
His father’s business became a success even during Prohibition because the elder Silberman sold kosher wine to churches, synagogues and other religious institutions that were allowed to have wine.
—
Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 2 May 2026
The Senate bill closely mirrors a version passed by the House last month, with the Senate version expanding the prohibition of civil immigration arrests in Massachusetts courthouses to additional locations, including child care facilities and public schools.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 1 May 2026
Distillery to Visit Cumberland County became dry when prohibition was enacted in 1920, and the rule wasn't overturned until 2016.
—Michelle Polizzi, Southern Living, 1 May 2026
Alito said the focus of the Voting Rights Act must be to enforce the prohibition against intentional racial discrimination under the 15th Amendment to the Constitution.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prohibition
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Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 2 May 2026
The Senate bill closely mirrors a version passed by the House last month, with the Senate version expanding the prohibition of civil immigration arrests in Massachusetts courthouses to additional locations, including child care facilities and public schools.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 1 May 2026
Distillery to Visit Cumberland County became dry when prohibition was enacted in 1920, and the rule wasn't overturned until 2016.
—Michelle Polizzi, Southern Living, 1 May 2026
Alito said the focus of the Voting Rights Act must be to enforce the prohibition against intentional racial discrimination under the 15th Amendment to the Constitution.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prohibition
Cite this Entry
“Prohibition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prohibition. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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
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