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
Among them were a requirement to teach embryology, authorization for the education commissioner to remove textbooks from circulation, and a prohibition against public schools using any funds for programs, goods and services that support diversity, equity and inclusion.
—
Jeffrey S. Solochek, Sun Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2026
In front of the hotel’s grand façade, a silver de-alcohol machine that came in handy during Prohibition is a reminder of Emma’s success in keeping the brewery alive after Otto’s death.
—Rebecca Deurlein, Southern Living, 16 Mar. 2026
Set in the Prohibition-era South, the box-office driver featured Jordan as twin brothers who return to their hometown to open a juke joint, only for their nighttime festivities to draw the attention of vampires.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026
Western nations have imposed sanctions including the prohibition of arms sales.
—Arkansas Online, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prohibition
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Jeffrey S. Solochek, Sun Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2026
In front of the hotel’s grand façade, a silver de-alcohol machine that came in handy during Prohibition is a reminder of Emma’s success in keeping the brewery alive after Otto’s death.
—Rebecca Deurlein, Southern Living, 16 Mar. 2026
Set in the Prohibition-era South, the box-office driver featured Jordan as twin brothers who return to their hometown to open a juke joint, only for their nighttime festivities to draw the attention of vampires.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026
Western nations have imposed sanctions including the prohibition of arms sales.
—Arkansas Online, 14 Mar. 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 18 Mar. 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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