prohibit

[ proh-hib-it ]
/ proʊˈhɪb ɪt /

verb (used with object)

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

Origin of prohibit

1400–50; late Middle English < 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 habit1

SYNONYMS FOR prohibit

1 interdict. See forbid.
3 obstruct.

OTHER WORDS FROM prohibit

pro·hib·it·er, pro·hib·i·tor, noun un·pro·hib·it·ed, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for prohibit

British Dictionary definitions for prohibit

prohibit
/ (prəˈhɪbɪt) /

verb (tr)

to forbid by law or other authority
to hinder or prevent

Derived forms of prohibit

prohibiter or prohibitor, noun

Word Origin for prohibit

C15: from Latin prohibēre to prevent, from pro- 1 + habēre to hold