banning
B2formal, official, legal, news media
Definition
Meaning
the act of officially or legally prohibiting something.
can refer to an official, temporary, or permanent prohibition. Also used for a figurative restriction imposed by a group, authority, or by public pressure.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies authority and an element of enforcement. Often connected to public safety, morality, or policy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major semantic difference. Spelling of related terms (e.g., 'counselling' vs. 'counseling') may differ. The verb 'to ban' is used identically.
Connotations
Similar connotations of official authority and enforcement in both varieties.
Frequency
Similar frequency; slightly more common in US media regarding political/cultural prohibitions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
banning of [noun]banning on [noun/gerund]banning from [place/activity]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to be on the banning order (UK legal)”
- “to face a banning order”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The banning of certain trade practices was debated by the committee.
Academic
The paper examines the social impact of the banning of leaded petrol.
Everyday
The school's banning of mobile phones caused quite a debate.
Technical
The regulatory agency announced the banning of the chemical as a food additive.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The council is banning cars from the city centre.
- They are considering banning single-use plastics.
American English
- The city is banning fireworks this July 4th.
- The league is banning that type of tackle.
adverb
British English
- He spoke ban-ningly about the proposal.
American English
- She argued ban-ningly against the new law.
adjective
British English
- The banning order was issued by the magistrate.
- They reviewed the banning policy.
American English
- The banning legislation passed the Senate.
- The coach faced a banning ruling.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The banning of dogs in the park is new.
- I do not like the banning of sweets at school.
- The government announced the banning of smoking in restaurants.
- The banning of the book was controversial.
- Environmental groups are pushing for a complete banning of non-recyclable packaging.
- The immediate banning of the substance was deemed necessary for public safety.
- The European Commission's de facto banning of the technology sparked a trade dispute.
- Scholars debate the efficacy of outright banning as a tool for social change.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BAN sign with a big red circle and line through it. 'BANNING' is just putting that sign into action.
Conceptual Metaphor
A BAN IS A WALL/BARRIER (prevents entry/access).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'баня' (banya/bathhouse).
- The Russian 'запрет' is a good translation for the noun.
- Avoid using 'баннинг' as a direct transliteration.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'ban' (verb) where 'banning' (noun/gerund) is needed, e.g., 'The ban of smoking' is better than 'The banning of smoking' in formal writing.
- Confusing 'banned' (past tense) with 'banning' (present participle/gerund).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'banning' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be both. It is the present participle/gerund of the verb 'to ban', and this form is frequently used as a noun (e.g., 'the banning of something').
A 'ban' is the official rule or state of prohibition itself. 'Banning' is the *act or process* of imposing that ban. They are often interchangeable, but 'banning' emphasizes the action.
Yes, but it sounds more formal. In casual speech, people might say "they're not allowing it" or "they banned it" instead of "the banning of it".
It's a specific legal term, common in UK law, which is a court order prohibiting an individual from a certain activity or place, often used for football hooligans or in cases of harassment.