tabu

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

George notes that our word “taboo” is believed to derive from one of two Polynesian words: tapua, which means “menstruation,” or tabu, which means “apart.”

From The New Yorker • Jan. 7, 2019

The tabu on horses and dogs thus renders unthinkable the consumption of a set of animals whose production is practically feasible and which are nutritionally not to be despised.

From Scientific American • Sep. 6, 2013

And daytime's You Are the Jury is an unrehearsed courtroom drama exploring areas often considered tabu on TV.

From Time Magazine Archive

Pastor Salau demonstrated with the Lord's Prayer: Papa belong me fella, stop on top; name belong You he tabu; Pidgin belong you he come down along ground all same on top.

From Time Magazine Archive

Ke-au-miki beat the sacred drum, announcing the tabu.

From Legends of Gods and Ghosts (Hawaiian Mythology) Collected and Translated from the Hawaiian by Westervelt, W. D. (William Drake)