preclude Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb keep from happening or arising; make impossible
    forbid; prevent; foreclose; forestall.
    • My sense of tact forbids an honest answer
    • Your role in the projects precludes your involvement in the competitive project
  2. verb make impossible, especially beforehand
    close out; rule out.

WordNet

Pre*clude" transitive verb
Etymology
L. praecludere, praeclusum; prae before + claudere to shut. See Close, v.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Precluded; present participle & verbal noun Precluding
Definitions
  1. To put a barrier before; hence, to shut out; to hinder; to stop; to impede.
    The valves preclude the blood from entering the veins. E. Darwin.
  2. To shut out by anticipative action; to prevent or hinder by necessary consequence or implication; to deter action of, access to, employment of, etc.; to render ineffectual; to obviate by anticipation.
    This much will obviate and preclude the objections. Bentley.

Webster 1913