Environment / B2

BAN/bæn/

To ban is to officially forbid something: ban phones in class, a smoking ban. Forbid is a close synonym; prohibit is more formal and legal. Ban is also a noun (a ban on + noun). Banned is the adjective. In speech, not allowed is everyday. You ban a thing or an activity, and you can ban someone from a place. Do not use ban for a teacher’s one-day “no talking” — that is a rule, not an official ban.

Meaning

To officially forbid something.

Examples

• “The school banned phones in class.”
• “The school banned phones from classrooms, not from the playground.”
• “A ban on overnight parking starts in June.”

Good to know

Officially forbid. Noun: a ban on. Everyday: not allowed. Close: forbid / prohibit. ban someone from + place.

Near in meaning

forbid

Topics

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