preclude definition - Dictionary

Dictionary

pre·clude [ prə kld ] (past and past participle pre·clud·ed, present participle pre·clud·ing, 3rd person present singular pre·cludes)

transitive verb

Definition:

1. prevent something: to prevent something from happening or somebody from doing something

That shouldn't preclude a satisfactory outcome.

2. debar somebody: to exclude somebody or something, especially in advance

Having a relative in the company precludes me from entering the contest.

[Early 17th century. < Latin praecludere "close off ahead" < claudere "close"]

pre·clu·sion [ prə kl'n ] noun

pre·clu·sive [ prə klssiv ] adjective

pre·clu·sive·ly adverb