Ban Meaning and Definition
Ban
Pronunciation
/bæn/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A decree or edict issued by a ruler or government, usually carrying legal or official weight. It may also refer to a restriction or prohibition on something.
Examples
- The king issued a ban on all forms of entertainment in the kingdom.
- The store imposed a ban on the sale of toxic chemicals.
Synonyms
- Decree
- Proclamation
- Edict
Antonyms
- Permission
- Laissez-faire
Etymology
The word “ban” comes from Old English “bann”, which is derived from the Hebrew word “bar”, meaning “to proclaim” or “to declare”.
Usage Notes
When issuing a ban, the subject is usually prohibited or restricted in some way.
Cultural References
In popular culture, the term “ban” has been used in numerous films, books, and TV shows to convey a sense of authority or prohibition. For example, the phrase “King’s ban” is often used to describe a royal decree or edict.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
Some common idiomatic expressions involving the word “ban” include “to lift a ban” (to revoke or cancel a prohibition), “to impose a ban” (to issue a decree or edict), and “to ignore the ban” (to disregard or disobey a restriction).
Related Words or Phrases
- Prohibit
- Restrict
- Forbid
Collocations
- Ban on smoking
- Ban on plastic bags
- Ban on hunting
Frequency of Use
The word “ban” is commonly used in formal and legal contexts, as well as in informal conversations. It is less frequent in modern language than it was in the past.
Common Misspellings
- Barn
- Bann