noun
disqualification
dis-kwol-if-ih-KAY-shun
Disqualification (noun) means the act of disqualifying someone, or the state of being disqualified. Example: “His disqualification from the race followed a failed drug test.”
noun
1
The act of disqualifying someone, or the state of being disqualified.
"His disqualification from the race followed a failed drug test."
"The committee announced the driver's disqualification after the inspection."
"A disqualification can be appealed within a set time limit."
2
sport In basketball, the removal of a player from further play after they build up too many personal fouls.
"Once he racked up too many personal fouls, the referee announced his disqualification."
"The referee confirmed the disqualification and the player left the court."
How to use disqualification
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDisqualification means being officially ruled out or made ineligible.
When to use it
It is a formal word, common in legal, sporting and competition contexts.
Memory tip
Spot the pattern dis- (undo) plus qualification, the opposite of being qualified.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
face disqualification
grounds for disqualification
automatic disqualification
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His _____ from the race followed a failed drug test.
Etymology
The word is made up of the prefix dis-, which reverses a meaning, added to qualification, so it describes the reversal of being qualified.
Synonyms
View more →
fouling out
Rhymes for disqualification
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for disqualification →
Frequently asked questions
What does disqualification mean?
It means being ruled unfit or ineligible, or the act of making someone unfit for a role, competition or purpose.
What causes a disqualification in basketball?
A player is disqualified in basketball once they build up too many personal fouls in a game.
Is there another term for basketball disqualification?
Yes, it is also called fouling out.
What is the meaning of disqualification?
"disqualification" (noun) means the act of disqualifying someone, or the state of being disqualified.
