injunction

Everyday

1. (law) An injunction is an order from a court telling someone that they must or must not do something. tree →
2. (formal) A firm warning or instruction: his mother's injunction to be home before dark. tree →

In the lessons

Heard in news and adult life: «the court granted an injunction», «she got an injunction to stop him coming near the house». In formal writing: an injunction against something. It tells the reader an official order has been given.

Examples

• The court issued an injunction to stop the building work. tree →
• The company got an injunction against the protesters. tree →
• Breaking an injunction can lead to a fine. tree →
• Mum's injunction was clear: no screens after bedtime. tree →
• The judge refused to grant an injunction. tree →
• An injunction can protect a person from someone who has been threatening them. tree →
• But mindful of the injunction of Circe, Odysseus brandished his sword, and suffered none to approach until Tiresias had appeared. tree →

Note

Countable. Typical verbs: grant, issue, seek, break an injunction. Do not confuse with «junction» (where roads meet) or «conjunction» (a joining word like «and»).