prevent

verb pre·vent \ pri-ˈvent \

Updated on: 15 May 2018

Definition of prevent

transitive verb

1 archaic

a : to be in readiness for (something, such as an occasion)

b : to meet or satisfy in advance

c : to act ahead of

d : 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 \pri-ˌven-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

—

preventable

or less commonly preventible play \pri-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?

Recent Examples of prevent from the Web

His criminal record prevents him from becoming prime minister without a change in election law.

— Washington Post, "AP Interview: Romanian pol says graft fight has gone too far," 12 May 2018
For more information on how to create Defensible Space, as well as tips to prevent wildfires,visit ReadyForWildfire.org.

— Ramona Sentinel, "Cal Fire suspends burn permits in county," 11 May 2018
The volcano's internal plumbing could still prevent an explosion.

— Fox News, "Volcano explosion won't be deadly if people stay out of park," 11 May 2018
California is not preventing federal immigration authorities from interrogating people, arresting people or deporting people.

— marcos bretón, sacbee, "Translating Newsom doubletalk: We don't celebrate diversity, we avoid talking about it | The Sacramento Bee," 11 May 2018
Desert Vista prevented O'Connor from taking the set with a block that tied it at 24-24.

— richard obert, azcentral, "Desert Vista captures 6A boys volleyball title for Alex DePriest," 11 May 2018
Boys’ Tennis Unionville prevented Lower Merion from a fourth straight District 1 Class 3A title with a 3-2 triumph over the Aces.

— corey sharp, Philly.com, "Wednesday's Pa. roundup: Strath Haven baseball hands Marple Newtown its first loss," 11 May 2018
And with the Iran deal scrapped, how does will the U.S. prevent the country from developing a nuclear arsenal?

— jeet heer, The New Republic, "How Democrats Can Over-Promise Like Trump," 11 May 2018
How to prevent it: Thankfully, the study also looked at ways to alleviate these concerns.

— NBC News, "The 5 biggest and most common financial regrets and how to avoid them," 11 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'prevent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1c

See Words from the same year

prevent Synonyms

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

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