ban
BAN
Ban (verb) means to officially forbid something. Example: “The city banned smoking in all public parks.”
verb
1
To officially forbid something.
"The city banned smoking in all public parks."
"He was banned from the forum for spamming."
"Many schools ban mobile phones during lessons to help pupils concentrate."
noun
1
An official prohibition.
"The government lifted the ban on imported beef."
"A ban on bikes in the square annoyed local couriers."
"The club put a ban on loud music after ten at night."
How to use ban
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo officially forbid something, or the rule that forbids it.
Common pairings
impose a ban
lift a ban
ban on
permanently banned
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Word forms
- Plural
- bans, bani
- Third person singular
- bans
- Past tense
- banned
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Can you complete this real example?
Many schools _____ mobile phones during lessons to help pupils concentrate.
Etymology
From Old English bannan, "to summon or proclaim," and Old Norse banna, "to curse or forbid" — both from a Germanic root meaning to proclaim or curse.
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “ban” mean?
The word “ban” means to officially forbid something. In plain terms, to officially forbid something, or the rule that forbids it.
How do you pronounce “ban”?
“Ban” is pronounced BAN (/ˈbæn/ in IPA).
How do you use “ban” in a sentence?
Here is “ban” used in a sentence: “The city banned smoking in all public parks.”
What part of speech is “ban”?
Depending on how it is used, “ban” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “ban” come from?
The word “ban” comes from Old English. From Old English bannan, "to summon or proclaim," and Old Norse banna, "to curse or forbid" — both from a Germanic root meaning to proclaim or curse.
Is “ban” a common word?
“Ban” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “ban” have?
“Ban” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to officially forbid something.
What is the difference between ban and prohibit?
Both mean to forbid, but ban tends to be broader and more public, often applied to whole categories — a smoking ban or a book ban. Prohibit sounds more formal and legal, and usually refers to specific acts stated in rules or laws. In practice the two are very close in meaning.
What is the difference between ban and boycott?
A ban is imposed by an authority — a government, school, or platform — to forbid something. A boycott is the opposite direction: ordinary people voluntarily refuse to buy or take part in something as a form of protest. One comes from those in power; the other is a grassroots choice.
Can a ban be temporary?
Yes. Some bans are permanent, but many are temporary or conditional — a player might receive a three-match ban, or a product might be banned until it passes safety checks. A ban can also be lifted later if the authority that imposed it decides the restriction is no longer needed.
What is the opposite of ban?
The opposite of banning something is permitting or allowing it. When an existing ban is removed, we say it is lifted. So while to ban is to officially forbid, to permit, allow, or authorise means to officially let something happen. Legalise is another antonym when the ban was written into law.
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