défendu

Défendu is the past participle of the French verb défendre and is used as an adjective meaning forbidden or not allowed. It is common in formal rules, regulations, and public notices, where it conveys a clear prohibition. Examples include phrases such as il est défendu de fumer ici or cet espace est défendu au public, where the word signals a prohibition with a formal nuance. The term can also appear in compound expressions like une zone défendue or une pratique défendue, where it agrees in gender and number with the noun.

In everyday language, more common alternatives for casual usage are interdit or il est interdit de…, but défendu remains widespread in signage and official texts due to its precise, formal tone. The sense of défendu is therefore closer to “forbidden by rule or law” than a mere suggestion, though the exact strength can vary with context.

Etymology and related forms: défendu comes from Old French defendre, itself from Latin defendere, meaning to defend or ward off; over time the meaning extended to prohibit. The adjective declines like other French participles: défendu (masculine singular), défendue (feminine singular), défendus (masculine plural), défendues (feminine plural).

See also: défense (noun meaning defense or prohibition) and La Défense (a proper noun referring to places or districts).