What does precluded mean?
To preclude something is to rule it out or make it impossible. The word is especially common in formal writing about plans, possibilities, opportunities, and decisions: bad weather may preclude an outdoor event, while a lack of evidence may preclude a particular conclusion. Because preclude is transitive, it normally takes a noun as its object, as in “preclude further discussion,” or is followed by “from,” as in “preclude someone from participating.” Although it resembles exclude in meaning, preclude often suggests that something has been prevented or rendered impracticable, rather than simply left out. The word also conveys a degree of firmness: the obstacle is presented as making an outcome impossible. Despite its formal tone, precede is widely understood and useful when precision matters.
verbTo make something impossible or to prevent it from happening or being done. It is often used with “from” to describe what someone is prevented from doing.
- To prevent something from happening or someone from doing something.
- To make something impossible or exclude it from consideration.
"Bad weather precluded the organizers from holding the ceremony outdoors."
"The lack of funding precluded any plans to expand the program."
"His recent performance does not preclude a successful comeback."
Precluded comes from the Latin idea of closing a door before someone can enter.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does precluded come from?
The word comes from Latin praeccludere, a combination of prae-, meaning “before,” and claudere, meaning “to close.” The original sense was “to close or shut out beforehand,” which developed into the modern idea of preventing something or making it impossible. English borrowed the word from Latin; related English forms include exclude, seclude, conclude, and closure, all associated with the Latin root claudere.
Related word forms
How precluded is actually used
This is chiefly formal and common in written English. The construction “preclude someone from doing something” is particularly frequent; “preclude something” is also common.