debarred; debarring; debars

transitive verb

: to bar from having or doing something : preclude

Examples of debar in a Sentence

the judge debarred all of the reporters from the courtroom
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In 2018, the feds debarred Larralde, Georgiou and two other family members for three years from the H-2A program. Sam Tabachnik, The Denver Post, 1 Sep. 2024 But Bair Ranch was never debarred from the program. Sam Tabachnik, The Denver Post, 1 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English debarren, from Anglo-French debarrer, from de- + barrer to bar

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of debar was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near debar

Cite this Entry

“Debar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/debar. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

debarred; debarring
: to prevent from having or doing something

Legal Definition

debar

transitive verb
debarred; debarring
: to bar from having or doing something
specifically : to exclude from contracting with the federal government or a federal contractor
was debarred from bidding
compare disbar
debarment noun

More from Merriam-Webster on debar

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