injunction
B2/C1Formal/Legal
Definition
Meaning
A formal legal order from a court commanding or forbidding a specific action.
An authoritative warning, command, or plea, often of an urgent nature, not necessarily in a legal context.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily denotes a court order but can be used metaphorically to stress the seriousness of a command. Its force often implies an attempt to prevent harm.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In UK law, a distinction exists between 'prohibitory' (stopping an act) and 'mandatory' (requiring an act) injunctions. In US law, 'preliminary' and 'permanent' injunctions are common terms. The US also uses 'restraining order' for some types of injunctions.
Connotations
Similar connotations of formal authority and legal compulsion in both dialects.
Frequency
More frequent in legal and news contexts in both varieties; slightly higher general frequency in US media due to the litigious nature of some sectors.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to seek an injunction against [person/organisation] [for/to] [reason/action]to be granted an injunction [to prevent/restrain] [action]an injunction [prohibiting/ordering] [action]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to the word 'injunction'.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Common in disputes over intellectual property, non-compete clauses, or to halt strikes. 'The company obtained a preliminary injunction to stop the rival's product launch.'
Academic
Used in legal, political science, and philosophy texts discussing the powers of the state or judiciary.
Everyday
Rare. Might appear in news reports. 'Protesters defied the court injunction and gathered in the square.'
Technical
A precise term in law. Distinctions between types (e.g., Mareva, Anton Piller in UK; TRO in US) are crucial.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The court may enjoin the publication of the confidential report.
- They were enjoined from disclosing trade secrets.
American English
- The judge enjoined the company from polluting the river.
- He sought to enjoin the enforcement of the new regulation.
adverb
British English
- The order was issued injunctionally.
American English
- The act was injunctionally prohibited.
adjective
British English
- The injunctive relief was granted swiftly.
- They have injunctive powers under the statute.
American English
- She filed for injunctive relief to stop the merger.
- The court's injunctive authority is well-established.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The judge issued an injunction to stop the building work.
- They broke the injunction and had to pay a fine.
- The celebrity sought an injunction to prevent the newspaper from publishing private photos.
- The court granted a temporary injunction against the strike action.
- The interim injunction was crucial in maintaining the status quo until the full hearing.
- His counsel argued that the mandatory injunction would cause undue hardship to the defendant.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a judge INJECTING a legal JUNCTION or block into someone's plans. An IN-JUNCTION stops you at the junction.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE LAW IS A BARRIER/PROTECTIVE SHIELD. An injunction is a legal wall built to stop an action or a legal hand that restrains.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'инструкция' (instruction) which is less formal. Closer equivalents are 'судебный запрет', 'предписание суда', or 'инъюнкция' (direct borrowing, used in legal contexts). The verb 'enjoin' has no direct single-word equivalent.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'injunction' for any official request or suggestion (too strong). Pronouncing it as /ɪnˈdʒʌnktʃən/ (adding a /t/ sound). Confusing with 'injunction' (a joining) or 'injury'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'injunction' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A law is a general rule created by a legislature. An injunction is a specific court order directed at a particular person or group, commanding or forbidding a specific action.
Breaching an injunction is contempt of court, which can result in fines, seizure of assets, or even imprisonment.
A restraining order is a specific type of injunction, often used in contexts of personal harassment or domestic violence. 'Injunction' is the broader, more general legal term.
Yes, courts can grant interim or ex parte injunctions very quickly in urgent situations to prevent immediate harm, pending a full hearing.
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Law and Regulation
C1 · 46 words · Legal language and regulatory frameworks.
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