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

Senate Bill 26-141 would create a wildlife collision prevention fund in Colorado. —Olivia Young, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026

Being proactive about prevention is also key. —Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 20 Mar. 2026

Apart from search and rescue, these high-endurance drones could prove beneficial for large-scale environmental monitoring and disaster prevention. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 19 Mar. 2026

The Journal Sentinel also consulted with officials from school districts, state agencies, youth justice courts, corrections agencies, law enforcement teams, violence prevention groups and de-radicalization organizations. —Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 19 Mar. 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