provide

pro·vide

verb \prə-ˈvīd\

pro·vid·edpro·vid·ing

Definition of PROVIDE

intransitive verb

1

: to take precautionary measures <provide for the common defense — United States Constitution>

2

: to make a proviso or stipulation <the Constitution…provides for an elected two-chamber legislature — Current Biography>

3

: to make preparation to meet a need <provide for entertainment>; especially : to supply something for sustenance or support <provides for the poor>

transitive verb

1

archaic : to prepare in advance

2

a : to supply or make available (something wanted or needed) <provided new uniforms for the band>; also : afford <curtains provide privacy>

b : to make something available to <provide the children with free balloons>

3

: to have as a condition : stipulate <the contract provides that certain deadlines will be met>

Examples of PROVIDE

1. The Web site provides information about local activities.
2. The curtains on the windows provide privacy.
3. The school provided new uniforms for the band.
4. The goal is to provide health care to as many people as possible.
5. Coffee and doughnuts will be provided at the meeting.
6. The Web site provides users with information about local activities.
7. The school provided the band with new uniforms.
8. The store provides its customers with excellent service.
9. Workers were provided with gloves for protection.
10. The contract provides that certain deadlines will be met.

Origin of PROVIDE

Middle English, from Latin providēre, literally, to see ahead, from pro- forward + vidēre to see — more at pro-, wit

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to PROVIDE

Synonyms

deliver, feed, give, hand, hand over, furnish, supply

Antonyms

hold (back), keep (back), reserve, retain, withhold

Related Words

ply (with); administer, allocate, apportion, deal (out), dispense, distribute, dole out, mete (out), parcel (out), portion, prorate; assign, cede, deed, make over, transfer

Near Antonyms

conserve, keep up, maintain, preserve, save

Rhymes with PROVIDE

abide, allied, applied, aside, astride, backside, backslide, bankside, beachside, bedside, beside, bestride, betide, blear-eyed, blindside, blow-dried, blue-eyed, broadside, bromide, bug-eyed, Burnside, clear-eyed, cockeyed, cold-eyed, collide, confide, courtside, cowhide, cross-eyed, curbside, dayside, decide, deride, divide, dockside, doe-eyed, downside, downslide, dry-eyed, ebb tide, elide, field guide, fireside, flip side, flood tide, fluoride, foreside, four-eyed, free ride, freeze-dried, Girl Guide, glass-eyed, graveside, green-eyed, hagride, hang glide, hard-eyed, hawkeyed, hayride, high tide, hillside, horsehide, inside, in stride, ironside, joyride, kingside, lakeside, landslide, low tide, lynx-eyed, misguide, moon-eyed, neap tide, nearside, nightside, noontide, offside, onside, outride, outside, pie-eyed, poolside, pop-eyed, preside, prompt side, quayside, queenside, rawhide, red tide, reside, ringside, riptide, roadside, seaside, self-pride, sharp-eyed, shipside, shoreside, Shrovetide, sloe-eyed, snowslide, springtide, squint-eyed, stateside, statewide, storewide, Strathclyde, streamside, strong side, subside, tailslide, tongue-tied, topside, trackside, trailside, untried, upside, vat-dyed, walleyed, war bride, waveguide, wayside, wide-eyed, wild-eyed, worldwide, yuletide