Definition of taboo Taboo
/tæbuˈ/ - [tabu] - ta•boo
We found 17 definitions of taboo from 7 different sources.
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What does taboo mean?
WordNet
NounPlural: tabooes |
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| taboo - a prejudice (especially in Polynesia and other South Pacific islands) that prohibits the use or mention of something because of its sacred nature | ||
| tabu | ||
| prejudice, bias, preconception a partiality that prevents objective consideration of an issue or situation | ||
| polynesia the islands in the eastern part of Oceania | ||
| taboo - an inhibition or ban resulting from social custom or emotional aversion | ||
| tabu | ||
| inhibition (psychology) the conscious exclusion of unacceptable thoughts or desires | ||
Verb |
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| taboo - declare as sacred and forbidden | ||
| restrict place limits on (extent or access); "restrict the use of this parking lot"; "limit the time you can spend with your friends" | ||
Adjectivetaboo, tabooer, tabooest |
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| taboo - forbidden to profane use especially in South Pacific islands | ||
| tabu | ||
| taboo - excluded from use or mention; "forbidden fruit"; "in our house dancing and playing cards were out"; "a taboo subject" | ||
| forbidden, out, prohibited, proscribed, tabu, verboten | ||
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Wiktionary 
- taboo (Noun)
An inhibition or ban that results from social custom or emotional aversion. - taboo (Noun)
Something which may not be used, approached or mentioned because it is sacred. - taboo (Verb)
To mark as taboo. - taboo (Verb)
To ban. - taboo (Verb)
To avoid. - taboo (Adjective)
Excluded or forbidden from use, approach or mention.
Webster DictionaryWebster's Unabridged Dictionary 📘
- taboo (n.)
A total prohibition of intercourse with, use of, or approach to, a given person or thing under pain of death, -- an interdict of religious origin and authority, formerly common in the islands of Polynesia; interdiction. - taboo (v. t.)
To put under taboo; to forbid, or to forbid the use of; to interdict approach to, or use of; as, to taboo the ground set apart as a sanctuary for criminals.
OmegaWiki DictionaryOmegaWiki Dictionary Ω
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taboo
An inhibition or ban that results from social custom or emotional aversion.
Chambers DictionaryChamber's 20th Century Dictionary 📕
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taboo
Tabu, ta-bōō′, n. an institution among the Polynesians, forming a penal system based on religious sanctions, by which certain things are held sacred or consecrated, and hence prohibited to be used—by a natural transference of meaning by association of ideas becoming equivalent to 'unholy,' 'accursed'—also Tamboo′, Tambu′, and Tapu′: any prohibition, interdict, restraint, ban, exclusion, ostracism.—v.t. to forbid approach to: to forbid the use of:—pr.p. tabōō′ing; pa.t. and pa.p. tabōōed′. [Polynesian tapu—prob. ta, to mark, pu, expressing intensity.]
Wikipedia 
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In a group, a taboo is something that the group looks down on upon. People usually will not talk about taboos. Doing something that is known as a taboo is usually seen as a bad thing by the community or society. Certain actions that are thought of as taboo are against the law in certain countries. Breaking the taboo may be punished hard by those states. Breaking other taboos can result in feeling embarrassed, or ashamed. Breaking a taboo is sometimes seen as rude.
Origins of the word.
The English word is traced back to Tongan "tapu" or the Fijian "tabu". These words usually mean "not allowed", or "forbidden". In its current use in Tonga, the word "tapu" also means "sacred" or "holy", in the sense of being restricted or protected by custom or by law. For example, the main island in the Kingdom of Tonga, where the capital Nuku'alofa is located and most of the population resides, is called "Tongatapu".
Some Solomon Islanders say that their languages have a word "tabu" (pronounced "tam-boo") that means holy. It refers to places in the bush where holy spirits live. Those areas should not be disturbed unless a ceremony or ritual is taking place. As taboo, they are places that should not be touched.
Examples of taboos.
Some taboos are because a religious, legal or social authority did something, over and over. Taboos can be talked about or joked about, outside "polite society". Comedy and satire such as "South Park", "The Simpsons" or "Beavis and Butthead" frequently do this.
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