Main Entry: pre·clude Pronunciation: pri-'klüd Function: transitive verb Inflected Forms: pre·clud·ed; pre·clud·ing : to prevent or exclude by necessary consequence precludes the creation of common-law marriages in this jurisdiction>: as a: to prevent (a party) from litigating an action or claim esp. by collateral estoppel or res judicata precluded only because they failed to assert…the grounds for recovery they now assert —Roach v. Teamsters Local Union Number 688, 595 Federal Reporter, Second Series 446 (1979)> b: to prevent (a claim or action) from being litigated esp. by collateral estoppel or res judicata precludes claims brought under the Tort Claims Act —National Law Journal> —pre·clu·sion/-'klü-zh&n/noun —pre·clu·sive/-'klü-siv/adjective