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

Half of the money raised will be donated to a local gun violence prevention group. —Tammy Mutasa, CBS News, 12 June 2026

Long-running programs for meal delivery, medical transportation, case management and elder abuse prevention set to expire July 1 in Orange County will see a continuation of $23 million in funding from the county after all. —Claire Wang, Oc Register, 11 June 2026

Technology changes the conditions of work, so prevention and human sustainability should stay part of the conversation. —Forbes.com, 11 June 2026

The platform plans to expand further into HIV treatment and prevention, along with other services like hotel room bookings. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 11 June 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