disqualification

Other forms: disqualifications

A situation or fact that means you're not allowed or able to participate in something is a disqualification. Being born in a non-US country is a disqualification for becoming President of the United States.

Not speaking French might be a disqualification for studying in France, and being over 18 is a disqualification for participating in Little League baseball. Another kind of disqualification is the action of preventing someone from doing something, often for a specific time period: "His disqualification from participating in bowling tournaments lasts until next year." Qualify, from the Latin qualis, "of what sort?" came to mean "be fit for a job." The prefix dis- means "not."

Definitions of disqualification

1. noun

   unfitness that bars you from participation
   type of:

   unfitness

   the quality of not being suitable
2. noun

   the act of preventing someone from participating by finding them unqualified
   types:

   recusal, recusation

   (law) the disqualification of a judge or jury by reason of prejudice or conflict of interest; a judge can be recused by objections of either party or judges can disqualify themselves

   type of:

   bar, prevention

   the act of preventing