prevention

noun

pre·​ven·​tion pri-ˈven(t)-shən 

: the act of preventing or hindering

Synonyms

• 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

Moreover, since January, the Trump administration has slashed federal support for HIV treatment, prevention, and research overseas as well as domestically. —Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025

Sacramento will raise fees for downtown parking, fire prevention and some senior programs starting Tuesday. —Olivia Cyrus, Sacbee.com, 30 June 2025

The fund also backs the JED Foundation and MusiCares for mental health resources, the LGBTQ National Help Center’s crisis prevention programs, and Best Friends Animal Society’s animal rescue and adoption initiatives. —Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 30 June 2025

That happened with multiple programs during the recent round of budget talks, from tenant legal support to homelessness prevention services for LGBTQ+ residents. —Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 June 2025

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