Meaning of ban In English

• 0 to forbid (= refuse to allow) something, especially officially:

  • The film was banned (= the government prevented it from being shown) in several countries.

  • [ + from + -ing verb ] She was banned from driving for two years.

• 1 an official order that prevents something from happening:

  • There should be a ban on talking loudly in cinemas.

• 2 to forbid someone to do something or forbid an action:

  • The bill would ban drivers from using hand-held phones.

• 3 an official order that prevents someone doing something, or something from happening:

  • ban on sth The police are enforcing the state's ban on the sale of fireworks.

  • impose/enforce/lift a ban They have now lifted the ban on the export of live animals to Europe.

• 4 to say officially that something is not allowed, or that someone is not allowed to do something:

  • The law bans the import of ivory into the country.

  • ban sb/sth from doing sth A number of airlines were banned from operating to the UK.