n.
Variant: also ta · bu
Pronunciation: t ə - ' bü, ta-
Function: adjective
Etymology: Tongan tabu
Date: 1777
1 : forbidden to profane use or contact because of what are held to be dangerous supernatural powers
2 a : banned on grounds of morality or taste <the subject is taboo > b : banned as constituting a risk <the area beyond is taboo , still alive with explosives ― Robert Leckie>