Definition of: prohibit

(prō·hib′it) v.t.
1. To forbid, especially by authority or law; interdict.
2. To prevent or hinder. [<L prohibitus, pp. of prohibere <pro- before + habere have]
—pro·hib′it·er noun Synonyms: debar, disallow, forbid, hinder, inhibit, interdict, preclude, prevent. Debar is said of persons, disallow of acts; one is debarred from anything when shut off by authority or necessity; an act is disallowed by the authority that might have allowed it. Forbid is less formal and more personal, prohibit more official and judicial, with the implication of readiness to use force; a parent forbids a child to take part in some game or to associate with certain companions; the opium trade is now prohibited by the leading nations of the world. Many things are prohibited by law which cannot be wholly prevented, as gambling and prostitution; on the other hand, things may be prevented which are not prohibited, as the services of religion, the payment of bets or military conquest. Compare ABOLISH, HINDER, PREVENT, SHUT. Antonyms: allow, authorize, command, direct, empower, enjoin, let, license, order, permit, require, sanction, suffer, tolerate, vouchsafe, warrant.