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

If the first phase of the GLP-1 beauty boom was reactive, the next is likely to be defined by prevention, personalization, and products built around the changing body. — Perdita Nouril, Vogue, 21 Aug. 2026

Under a 2019 law brought by Newsom to protect utilities from bankruptcy, the companies automatically are deemed to have acted prudently if regulators sign off on their wildfire prevention plan. — Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

The Trevor Project, which provides help and suicide-prevention resources for LGBTQ+ youth, can be reached at 1-866-488-7386. — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026

Panelists will talk about anxiety and depression, academic and social pressures, communication between teenagers and adults, warning signs, suicide prevention and the resources available to families. — Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 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