prohibition

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "prohibition" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something officially forbidden. For example, "The state has enacted a prohibition on the sale of alcoholic beverages."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Last year's choice of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in hindsight seems a similar act of wishful thinking.

The Guardian

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has become the surprise choice for this year's Nobel peace prize, a decision the Oslo committee said recognised both its current, hazardous mission to destroy Syria's chemical weapons stocks and 16 years of wider global efforts.

The Guardian

The toilets are routinely broken or lacking in number, and the conditions in one dormitory were so bad that Amnesty International "considers the accommodation of asylum seekers there a violation of the prohibition on torture and other ill-treatment".

The Guardian - Opinion

This is not just a breach of the solemn and absolute prohibition of torture to which the US has committed itself in international treaties: it is a terrible political and moral mistake.

The Guardian

I look forward to ending this version of prohibition," he said.

The Guardian

The unnoticed rewriting of a key clause of the Computer Misuse Act has exempted law enforcement officials from the prohibition on breaking into other people's laptops, databases, mobile phones or digital systems.

The Guardian

If anyone from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons is reading this, congratulations on your Nobel peace prize win.

The Guardian

These included non-derogable rules on the Palestinian right to self-determination and the prohibition on the acquisition of land by force.

The Guardian - Opinion

President Poincaré has now extended the prohibition by decree until a Bill can be passed through Parliament in the coming session which will make it permanent.

The Guardian

"Direct, specific threats of violence against others" have always been banned on the service, but that prohibition now extends to "threats of violence against others or promot[ing] violence against others".

The Guardian - Tech

Indeed, their lineal predecessors predicted that Lloyd George's Insurance Act would put every domestic servant on the dole and that Lord Shaftesbury's proposed prohibition of child labour was a prescription for economic ruin.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal or official restrictions, use "prohibition" to convey a formal and absolute ban. For example, "a prohibition on the use of chemical weapons".

Common error

Avoid using "prohibition" when you mean "inhibition". "Prohibition" refers to a formal ban, while "inhibition" refers to an internal restraint or psychological barrier. Ensure you choose the word that accurately reflects the context.

Linguistic Context

Prohibition functions primarily as a noun, denoting the act of prohibiting, forbidding, or disallowing something. It is often used to describe a legal or official ban, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples showcasing its use in contexts like "prohibition of torture" and "prohibition of child marriage".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prohibition" is a noun signifying the act of forbidding something, typically through law or formal decree. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. It is most frequently encountered in news and media, as well as formal and business contexts. While synonymous with terms like "ban" and "restriction", "prohibition" carries a stronger connotation of a complete and legally enforced ban. When writing, ensure to differentiate "prohibition" from "inhibition" to avoid lexical errors. Using "prohibition" effectively involves recognizing its formal tone and applying it when referring to official or legal restrictions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ban

A more concise term for "prohibition", indicating a formal forbidding of something.

forbiddance

A direct synonym, highlighting the action of forbidding.

restriction

Focuses on limiting an action, access, or availability, rather than a complete forbidding.

interdiction

Emphasizes the act of stopping something from entering or occurring.

proscription

Implies a strong condemnation and outlawing of something.

embargo

Specifically refers to a government-imposed restraint on trade or other commercial activity.

moratorium

A temporary prohibition of an activity.

injunction

A court order requiring a person or organization to do or refrain from doing a specific act.

restraint

The act of controlling or limiting something.

curtailment

The reduction or limitation of something.

FAQs

How is "prohibition" typically used in a sentence?

The term "prohibition" is typically used to describe the act of forbidding something, often by law. For example, "the prohibition of alcohol" or "a prohibition against discrimination".

What are some alternatives to the word "prohibition"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "ban", "restriction", or "interdiction" to convey a similar meaning.

What's the difference between "prohibition" and "restriction"?

"Prohibition" implies a complete ban, while "restriction" suggests a limitation or control, but not necessarily a complete forbidding. For instance, there might be a restriction on the number of items you can purchase, but a prohibition on selling those items altogether.

Is it correct to use "prohibition" in a formal context?

Yes, "prohibition" is appropriate for formal contexts, especially when referring to legal or official bans. It is often used in legal documents, government reports, and academic writing.