ban

To ban is defined as to stop people from doing something.

(verb)

An example of ban is to allow no cigarette smoking in a restaurant.

The definition of a ban is a ruling that forcibly stops something.

(noun)

A historical example of a ban is Prohibition which stopped the legal sale of alcohol.

See ban in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb banned, banning

to prohibit, as by official order, from doing, using, appearing, happening, etc.; forbid; censor: to ban fraternities, to ban a book
Archaic to curse; condemn

Origin: ME bannen < OE bannan, to summon, proclaim < ban, a command < IE base *bha-, to speak: see phono-

noun

Origin: ME < the v.; also < OFr ban, decree < OHG bann

noun pl. bani

a monetary unit of Romania, equal to of a leu

Origin: after ban, title of provincial governors of Slavonia

See ban in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb banned banned, ban·ning, bans

To prohibit, especially by official decree: The city council banned billboards on most streets. See Synonyms at forbid.
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.
Archaic To curse.

noun

An excommunication or condemnation by church officials.
A prohibition imposed by law or official decree: a ban on cigarette smoking on airplanes.
Censure, condemnation, or disapproval expressed especially by public opinion.
A curse; an imprecation.
A summons to arms in feudal times.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English bannen, to summon, banish, curse

Origin: , from Old English bannan, to summon,

Origin: and from Old Norse banna, to prohibit, curse; see bhā-² in Indo-European roots

noun pl. ba·ni (bäˈnē)

See Table at currency.

Origin:

Origin: Romanian

Origin: , from Serbo-Croatian bān, lord

Origin: , from Turkic bayan, very rich person

Origin: : bay, rich

Origin: ; akin to Turkish bay, rich, gentleman