An inhibition or ban that results from social custom or emotional aversion.
"In many cultures, it is considered a strict taboo to speak the names of deceased elders while they are still buried."
In plain English: A taboo is something that people are not allowed to talk about, touch, or do because it goes against their strong social rules.
"The family has an old taboo against mentioning his name after he passed away."
Usage: As a noun, taboo refers to the specific rule forbidding an action rather than the act itself being prohibited. Use this term when discussing cultural restrictions on topics like death or sexuality that are considered too sensitive for open discussion.
declare as sacred and forbidden
"The tribe declared it taboo to speak the name of their ancestor under any circumstances."
To mark as taboo.
"The elders marked the forbidden ritual as taboo to ensure no one would ever perform it again."
excluded from use or mention
"forbidden fruit"
"in our house dancing and playing cards were out"
"a taboo subject"
Excluded or forbidden from use, approach or mention.
"The ancient tribe placed a strict taboo on speaking the name of their deity aloud."
In plain English: Taboo means something that is so forbidden by social rules that people feel it's wrong to talk about, think of, or do.
"It is considered taboo to speak about death at family gatherings."
The word taboo comes from the Tongan tapu, meaning "prohibited" or "sacred." English speakers first adopted it around 1777 after mistakenly hearing the letter 'p' as a 'b'.