prevention

noun

pre·​ven·​tion pri-ˈven(t)-shən How to pronounce prevention (audio)
: the act of preventing or hindering

Examples of prevention in a Sentence

Exercise and diet play a role in the prevention of heart disease. good crowd control is crucial to the prevention of riots
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The survey of nearly 1,700 youths between the ages of 13 and 24 by the Trevor Project, a national LGBTQ+ youth advocacy group focused on suicide prevention, also found suicide ideation grew from 41% to 47% over the one-year period while suicide attempts decreased from 11% to 7%. Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025 Visitors can meet firefighters/paramedics and see live demonstrations, fire engines and equipment and pick up safety and wildfire prevention tips. Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Oct. 2025 Other employees who were initially terminated last week then brought back include staffers focused on suicide prevention and responses to Ebola and measles outbreaks, according to the National Public Health Coalition. Erika Edwards, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2025 In May, the city passed new rules requiring retailers with at least 76 carts to either install theft prevention mechanisms, use security deposit devices, or enter into a cart retrieval contract that obligates proactive efforts to pick up their carts. Devan Patel, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for prevention

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of prevention was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Prevention.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prevention. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

prevention

noun
pre·​ven·​tion pri-ˈven-chən How to pronounce prevention (audio)
: the act or practice of preventing something
the prevention of fires

More from Merriam-Webster on prevention

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