prohibited

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

pro•hib•it /proʊˈhɪbɪt/   v. [~ + object (+ from + verb-ing)]

1. to forbid (an action, activity, etc.) by authority, rule, or law:
   Smoking is prohibited.
2. to prevent;
   make impossible:
   Lack of funds prohibited her from taking classes
   .

See -hab-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

pro•hib•it  (prō hib′it), v.t. 

1. to forbid (an action, activity, etc.) by authority or law:
   Smoking is prohibited here.
2. to forbid the action of (a person).
3. to prevent;
   hinder.

• Latin prohibitus past participle of prohibēre to hold before, hold back, hinder, forbid, equivalent. to pro- pro-¹ + -hibēre, combining form of habēre to have, hold; see habit
• late Middle English 1400–50

pro•hib′it•er, pro•hib′i•tor, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. interdict. See forbid. 
• 3. obstruct.

Antonyms

• 1. permit.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

prohibit / prəˈhɪbɪt/ verb (transitive)

1. to forbid by law or other authority
2. to hinder or prevent

Etymology: 15th Century: from Latin prohibēre to prevent, from pro-¹ + habēre to hold

proˈhibiter, proˈhibitor noun