tr.v. banned, ban·ning, bans 1. a. To prohibit (an action) or forbid the use of (something), especially by official decree: banned smoking in theaters; banned pesticides in parks. See Synonyms at forbid. b. To refuse to allow (someone) to do something, go somewhere, or be a participant; exclude: a coach who was banned from the sidelines for two games; a gambler who was banned from the club. 2. South African Under the former system of apartheid, to deprive (a person suspected of illegal activity) of the right of free movement and association with others. 3. Archaic To curse. n. 1. A prohibition imposed by law or official decree: a ban on cigarette smoking on airplanes. 2. An excommunication or condemnation by church officials. 3. Censure, condemnation, or disapproval expressed especially by public opinion. 4. A summons to arms in feudal times. 5. Archaic A curse; an imprecation. [Middle English bannen, to summon, banish, curse, from Old English bannan, to summon, and from Old Norse banna, to prohibit, curse; see bhā-2 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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