What does injunction mean?
An injunction is a formal order, most often issued by a court, that requires someone to do something or forbids them from doing it. It is commonly used in disputes involving threats to safety, property, confidential information, intellectual property, or interference with someone's rights. Depending on the case, an injunction may be temporary while a lawsuit proceeds, preliminary to address immediate harm, or final as part of the judgment. The word can also be used more generally for a serious warning or commanding prohibition, especially in formal or literary English. Its legal force distinguishes it from an ordinary request: an injunction is backed by the authority of the court and may carry consequences for disobedience. In business, law, and public affairs, the term is often associated with urgent action to prevent irreparable damage before a full trial.
nounA legal order that requires a person or organization to do something, or prohibits them from doing something, usually to prevent harm or protect the rights of another party. The term is used most often in court proceedings and may be temporary or permanent.
- A legal order requiring a person or organization to perform or refrain from an action.
- A formal warning or command intended to discourage or prohibit conduct.
"The company sought an injunction to prevent its former employee from disclosing confidential information."
"The judge granted a temporary injunction stopping the demolition of the historic building."
"The warning functioned as an injunction against spreading false information about the campaign."
The plural is used for multiple legal orders or commands.
"The court denied two injunctions that sought to halt the construction project."
An injunction is a sentence with legal force: the court does not merely describe the problem, it commands what must happen—or what must stop.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does injunction come from?
The word comes from Latin injunctionem, a noun formed from injungere, meaning “to enjoin” or “to direct.” The Latin verb combined the prefix in- and jungere, “to join,” in the sense of directing someone to a course of action. The English form entered use in the early 17th century, initially in legal and religious contexts, and later became especially common in court orders that enjoin a party from acting.
Related word forms
How injunction is actually used
In modern English, the word is most common in legal contexts. Outside those contexts, it is formal and often means a forceful command or warning. The legal sense is broader than a restraining order, since an injunction can require affirmative action as well as prohibit conduct.
Easily confused with injunction
An injunction is a court order that commands or prohibits conduct, whereas an injury is physical or emotional harm.