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

The team also developed a risk-prevention and emergency-response system for ultra-deep-water drilling. — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 28 Sep. 2026

Cut back catmint, hostas, and salvia in fall for tidier gardens, pest prevention, and improved flowering. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Sep. 2026

The second annual event benefits the organization’s efforts to ensure that all people living with HIV/AIDS have access to quality housing, healthcare, HIV prevention, and treatment. — Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2026

Yet elsewhere in the book Hirschman acknowledged that breaking from the team, however courageous, can have perverse consequences, especially in organizations responsible for the provision of public goods like education and crime prevention. — Eyal Press, New Yorker, 28 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