WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
ban•ish /ˈbænɪʃ/USA pronunciation
v. [~ + object]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025- to send (someone) away, esp. to exile;
expel:Napoleon was banished to an island. - to send or drive out, esp. from the mind: to banish sad thoughts.
ban•ish
(ban′ish),USA pronunciation v.t.
ban′ish•er, n.
ban′ish•ment, n.
- to expel from or relegate to a country or place by authoritative decree;
condemn to exile:He was banished to Devil's Island. - to compel to depart;
send, drive, or put away:to banish sorrow.
- Frankish *bannjan to proclaim, akin to ban1
- Anglo-French, Old French baniss-, long stem of banir
- Middle English banisshen 1275–1325
ban′ish•ment, n.
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged exile, expatriate, outlaw; deport.
'banishment' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
Congress of Vienna
- Herodias
- Pantelleria
- exile
- herem
- ostracism
- ostracize
- self-banishment
- sequestration
- transport
- transportation