proscription

noun

pro·​scrip·​tion prō-ˈskrip-shən How to pronounce proscription (audio)
1
: the act of proscribing : the state of being proscribed
2
: an imposed restraint or restriction : prohibition
proscriptive adjective
proscriptively adverb

Examples of proscription in a Sentence

the proscription against bicycles and skateboards is intended to make the plaza a more pedestrian-friendly place a strongly worded proscription against smoking indoors
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Rasoulof shifts his tale into a cautionary proscription that is artful and mythic. Armond White, National Review, 22 Jan. 2025 Politics, the war, and Putin are off-limits, while less obvious proscriptions draw a grim picture of the dictatorship: no emojis, no foreign words, and no literary references are allowed. Francesca Mastruzzo (tr. Elettra Pauletto), The Dial, 14 Jan. 2024 Under Elizabethan feudalism this notion was unthinkable if only because none but the royal had the alternatives of seemingly absolute choice, the liberties of the masses being hedged about by all sorts of rigid proscriptions. Andrew Aoyama, The Atlantic, 28 Feb. 2024 Washington also secured buy-in for a proscription against the use of force to alter international boundaries, helping lock in place a status quo that has benefited the United States. Ryan Hass, Foreign Affairs, 24 Oct. 2023 See all Example Sentences for proscription 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English proscripcion, from Latin proscription-, proscriptio, from proscribere

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of proscription was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near proscription

Cite this Entry

“Proscription.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proscription. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

proscription

noun
pro·​scrip·​tion prō-ˈskrip-shən How to pronounce proscription (audio)
1
: the act of proscribing : the state of being proscribed
2

Legal Definition

proscription

noun
pro·​scrip·​tion prō-ˈskrip-shən How to pronounce proscription (audio)
1
: the act of proscribing : the state of being proscribed
2
: an imposed restraint or restriction
proscriptive adjective
proscriptively adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on proscription

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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