/ ˌprəʊɪˈbɪʃn; NAmE ˌproʊəˈb-/ noun
1.
[ U ] the act of stopping sth being done or used, especially by law :
the prohibition of smoking in public areas
2.
[ C ] prohibition (against / on sth) a law or a rule that stops sth being done or used :
a prohibition against selling alcohol to people under the age of 18
3.
Prohibition [ U ] (in the US) the period of time from 1920 to 1933 when it was illegal to make and sell alcoholic drinks
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French , from Latin prohibitio(n-) , from prohibere keep in check, from pro- in front + habere to hold.