to forbid (an action, activity, etc.) by authority or law: Smoking is prohibited here.
2.
to forbid the action of (a person).
3.
to prevent; hinder.
Origin: 1400–50; late ME < L prohibitus ptp. of prohibēre to hold before, hold back, hinder, forbid, equiv. to pro-pro-1+ -hibēre, comb. form of habēre to have, hold; see habit