provided; providing
1
a
: to supply or make available (something wanted or needed)
provided new uniforms for the band
b
: to make something available to
provide the children with free balloons
2
: to have as a condition : stipulate
the contract provides that certain deadlines will be met
3
archaic
: to prepare in advance
1
: to make preparation to meet a need
provide for entertainment
especially
: to supply something for sustenance or support
provides for the poor
2
: to make a proviso or stipulation
The constitution … provides for an elected two-chamber legislature.—
Current Biography
Current Biography3
: to take precautionary measures
… provide for the common defense …—U.S. Constitution
U.S. ConstitutionExamples of provide in a Sentence
The website provides information about local activities.
The curtains on the windows provide privacy.
The school provided new uniforms for the band.
The goal is to provide health care to as many people as possible.
Coffee and doughnuts will be provided at the meeting.
The website provides users with information about local activities.
The school provided the band with new uniforms.
The store provides its customers with excellent service.
Workers were provided with gloves for protection.
The contract provides that certain deadlines will be met.
Recent Examples on the Web
The process allows regulators to exchange experience and provide consolidated feedback to the developer while each country retains full responsibility for its own licensing decisions.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 23 Jan. 2026
Explore the Trefis Reinforced Value (RV) Portfolio, which has outperformed its all-cap stocks benchmark (a mixture of the S&P 500, S&P mid-cap, and Russell 2000 benchmark indices), providing strong returns for investors.
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The courthouses will provide water and snacks and access to restrooms, and residents can bring their pets in cages or carriers.
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Battalion members helped build roads, repair public buildings, construct a courthouse, dig wells and provide labor for the frontier community.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for provide
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Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 23 Jan. 2026
Explore the Trefis Reinforced Value (RV) Portfolio, which has outperformed its all-cap stocks benchmark (a mixture of the S&P 500, S&P mid-cap, and Russell 2000 benchmark indices), providing strong returns for investors.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
The courthouses will provide water and snacks and access to restrooms, and residents can bring their pets in cages or carriers.
—Elyssa Kaufman, CBS News, 23 Jan. 2026
Battalion members helped build roads, repair public buildings, construct a courthouse, dig wells and provide labor for the frontier community.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for provide
Cite this Entry
“Provide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/provide. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
provide
verb
pro·vide
prə-ˈvīd 
provided; providing
1
: to take care of beforehand
provide against a possible scarcity
2
: to state a condition or stipulation
the contract provided for 10 paid holidays
3
: to supply what is needed for support
provides for a large family
4
: to supply or furnish for use
cows provide milk
provider
noun
Etymology
Middle English providen "to provide," from Latin providēre, literally, "to see ahead," from pro- "ahead, forward" and vidēre "to see" — related to vision
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