Standard Lemma guide

disbar

verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • UK: /dɪsˈbɑː(ɹ)/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -ɑː(ɹ)
  • CMU ARPABET: D IH2 S B AA1 R Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To expel from the bar, or the legal profession; to deprive (an attorney, barrister, or counselor) of his or her status and privileges as such.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Topics: law

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To exclude (a person) from something.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

remove from the bar; expel from the practice of law by official action

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The corrupt lawyer was disbarred

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: disqualify

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *dwóh1 Proto-Indo-European *d(w)is- Proto-Italic *dis- Latin dis- Old French des-bor. ▲ Latin dis-bor. Middle English dis- English dis- English bar English disbar From dis- + bar.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Dutch: de toegang ontzegd tot de balie — to expel from the bar, or the legal profession
  • Finnish: erottaa asianajajan virasta — to expel from the bar, or the legal profession
  • Finnish: erottaa Asianajajaliitosta — to expel from the bar, or the legal profession
  • German: die Zulassung entziehen — to expel from the bar, or the legal profession
  • German: die Anwaltslizenz entziehen — to expel from the bar, or the legal profession
  • Irish: díbharraigh — to expel from the bar, or the legal profession