Ban Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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ban

[bĂŚn ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

legal

An official or legal prohibition.

Synonyms

embargo, prohibition, restriction.

Examples of usage

  • The government issued a ban on smoking in public places.
  • The ban on single-use plastics has helped reduce pollution.
Context #2 | Verb

legal

Officially or legally prohibit.

Synonyms

bar, forbid, prohibit.

Examples of usage

  • The school banned the use of cell phones during class.
  • The country banned the import of certain goods.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'ban'

The word 'ban' originated from the Old English word 'bannan', meaning 'to summon, command, proclaim'. Over time, its meaning evolved to include the idea of prohibiting or outlawing certain actions or items. The concept of bans has been prevalent in various societies throughout history, often used by authorities to regulate behavior or trade.


See also: banal, banish, banned, banner, banning, banter.

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,977 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.