Crossword Genius

Stops wedding announcement being read (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

bans

'stops' is the definition.
(a ban might prevent or stop something)

'wedding announcement being read' is the wordplay.
'wedding announcement' becomes 'banns' (as in a wedding banns - announcement of a marriage).
'being read' shows a homophone (sound like) (as it might sound if read aloud).
'banns' is a homophone of 'BANS'.

(Other definitions for bans that I've seen before include "Forbids" , "Prohibiting decree" , "Officially prohibits" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app