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

Our clean energy and wildfire prevention efforts are saving billions—both in disaster costs and everyday bills. —MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025

The Role of Education and Prevention Experts agree that prevention is still the best defense against costly treatment. —Sixteen Ramos, AZCentral.com, 6 Nov. 2025

So, while some short-term effects may not last, disease prevention remains important even after some of these effects fade. —Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 6 Nov. 2025

Smith oversaw the department's division of fire prevention and community risk reduction, a job that gave him oversight of arson investigations, including the investigation last year into the blaze that damaged and closed parts of the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge over the Ohio River. —Aaron Valdez, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Nov. 2025

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