prevention

noun

pre·​ven·​tion pri-ˈven(t)-shən How to pronounce prevention (audio)
: the act of preventing or hindering

Example Sentences

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 Case counts may have also increased due to enhanced efforts to detect cases, as well as poor generation infection prevention and control practices. Julia Musto, Fox News, 22 Mar. 2023 Holiday House In 2008, designer and breast cancer survivor Iris Danker founded Holiday House in New York City as an event to raise funds for the prevention and cure of breast cancer. Kelly Allen, House Beautiful, 22 Mar. 2023 The Trevor Project, a suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ young people, noted the prevalence of deaths by suicide among LGBTQ youth. Paradise Afshar, CNN, 18 Mar. 2023 Both Malawi and Mozambique were already fighting cholera outbreaks before Freddy; disaster conditions only complicate prevention and containment measures. Maryanne Murray Buechner, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2023 Consuming it regularly throughout your lifetime is also associated with the prevention of cognitive decline and reducing the risk of conditions like Alzheimer's disease. Sofia Quaglia, Discover Magazine, 15 Mar. 2023 Its goal: to teach drowning prevention and water safety techniques. Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2023 The vegetable contains several nutrients essential for bone formation and the prevention of bone density loss. Cynthia Sass, Mph, Rd, Health, 9 Mar. 2023 At the same meeting, county commissioners awarded $1 million in aid from the American Rescue Plan Act to the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida to expand prevention and diversion services and improve outreach to underserved regions. Stephen Hudak, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prevention.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of prevention was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near prevention

Cite this Entry

“Prevention.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prevention. Accessed 2 Apr. 2023.

Kids Definition

prevention

noun
pre·​ven·​tion pri-ˈven-chən How to pronounce prevention (audio)
: the act or practice of preventing something
the prevention of fires

More from Merriam-Webster on prevention

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