prevent

play

verb pre·vent \pri-ˈvent\

Definition of prevent

transitive verb
1 archaic a : to be in readiness for (something, such as an occasion)b : to meet or satisfy in advancec : to act ahead ofd : to go or arrive before
2 : to deprive of power or hope of acting or succeeding
3 : to keep from happening or existing steps to prevent war
4 : to hold or keep back : hinder, stop —often used with from
intransitive verb
: to interpose an obstacle

preventability

play \-ˌven-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

preventable

or less commonly

preventible

play \-ˈven-tə-bəl\ adjective

preventer

noun

See prevent defined for English-language learners

See prevent defined for kids

Examples of prevent in a Sentence

Seatbelts in cars often prevent serious injuries.
Can exercise and a healthy diet prevent heart disease?
The accident could have been prevented.
He grabbed my arm to prevent me from falling.
Bad weather prevented us from leaving.
How are you going to prevent him from finding out about the party?

Origin and Etymology of prevent

Middle English, to anticipate, from Latin praeventus, past participle of praevenire to come before, anticipate, forestall, from prae- + venire to come — more at come

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First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of prevent

prevent, anticipate, forestall mean to deal with beforehand. prevent implies taking advance measures against something possible or probable. measures taken to prevent leaks anticipate may imply merely getting ahead of another by being a precursor or forerunner or it may imply checking another's intention by acting first. anticipated the question by making a statement forestall implies a getting ahead so as to stop or interrupt something in its course. hoped to forestall the sale

PREVENT Defined for English Language Learners

prevent

play

verb

Definition of prevent for English Language Learners

: to stop (something) from happening or existing
: to make (someone or something) not do something : to stop (someone or something) from doing something