Disqualification is the act of declaring someone ineligible to participate in or win a competition, contest, or position because they broke the rules or failed to meet the requirements. When an athlete gets caught using banned substances, they face disqualification from the race or even from future competitions. When a spelling bee contestant misspells a word, they're disqualified and must leave the stage.

Disqualification happens when someone crosses a clear line. A runner who leaves their lane during a race receives immediate disqualification. A student entering a science fair for sixth graders might face disqualification if they're actually in seventh grade. The rules exist beforehand, and everyone knows what will trigger disqualification.

Sometimes disqualification feels harsh, especially when it happens over a technicality or an honest mistake. But rules create fairness, and the possibility of disqualification helps ensure people follow them.