# forestall

> English word · Verb · IPA /fɔː(ɹ)ˈstɔːl/ · frequency rank #45,934

## Definitions
1. To prevent, delay or hinder something by taking precautionary or anticipatory measures; to avert.
2. To preclude or bar from happening, render impossible.
3. To purchase the complete supply of a good, particularly foodstuffs, in order to charge a monopoly price.
4. To anticipate, to act foreseeingly.
5. To deprive (with of).
6. To obstruct or stop up, as a road; to stop the passage of a highway; to intercept on the road, as goods on the way to market.

## Etymology
From Middle English forestallen (“to forestall, intercept, ambush, way-lay”), from forestalle (“a forestalling, interception”), from Old English foresteall (“intervention, hindrance of justice, ambush”), from fore- (“ahead of, before”) + steall (“position”), equivalent to fore- + stall.

## Common misspellings (12)
`fforestall`, `foerstall`, `foresatll`, `foresstall`, `forestal`, `forestlal`, `foresttall`, `foretsall`, `forrestall`, `forsetall`, `froestall`, `ofrestall`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/forestall