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 governor's declaration allows the Texas New World Screwworm Response Team to use all state government prevention and response resources to prevent the spread of the parasite into Texas. —Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026

The upshot is that doctors focus on prevention by reducing the risk of animal-to-human transmission and implementing infection control measures when working with infected people. —Michal Ruprecht, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026

For prevention, athletes and trainers/coaches tend to adjust their game plans to reduce the distance covered, if possible. —Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026

Advances in personal health technology, prevention strategies, and early detection and screening methodologies offer promising opportunities to intervene earlier and improve long-term outcomes. —Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 30 Jan. 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