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

William, royal patron of the Football Association and an Aston Villa fan, is visiting Merseyside to launch On Your Side, a suicide prevention toolkit for people in sport. — Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Republicans edge out Democrats on keeping people safe, crime prevention, and reducing and stopping violent crime. — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2026

Amendment is also a constitution’s mechanism for the prevention of insurrection. — Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026

In the face of more sophisticated threats and greater technological dependence, prevention must be at the heart of the business. — Susana Sierra, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 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