prevention

noun

pre·​ven·​tion pri-ˈven(t)-shən 

: the act of preventing or hindering

Synonyms of prevention

• avoidance
• prohibition

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

Devastated, her classmates form a gun violence prevention program at their school. —Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026

The fire department says this is about prevention, not enforcement. —Carmela Karcher, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026

Michael Rose is an internist and pediatrician at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine investigating ways to improve HIV treatment and prevention. —Michael Rose, STAT, 3 Apr. 2026

Cora even relayed a story about how former Red Sox captain and current game planning and run prevention coach Jason Varitek got boo’ed by fans after having a tough time catching Tim Wakefield only to be cheered later in the game for hitting a home run. —Greg Dudek, Boston Herald, 3 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing prevention

• an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
• prevention is better than cure

Rhymes for prevention

• attention
• contention
• convention
• declension
• detention
• dimension
• dissension
• distension
• extension
• intension
• invention
• laurentian

Kids Definition

prevention

noun

pre·​ven·​tion pri-ˈven-chən 

: the act or practice of preventing something

the prevention of fires