provide

verb pro·vide \ prə-ˈvīd \

|Updated on: 1 Aug 2018

Examples: provide in a Sentence

Definition of provide

provided; providing

intransitive verb

1 : to take precautionary measures

provide for the common defense
—U.S. Constitution

2 : to make a proviso or stipulation

the Constitution … provides for an elected two-chamber legislature
—Current Biography

3 : to make preparation to meet a need

provide for entertainment

; especially : to supply something for sustenance or support

provides for the poor

transitive verb

1 archaic : to prepare in advance

2 a : to supply or make available (something wanted or needed)

provided new uniforms for the band

; also : afford

curtains provide privacy

b : to make something available to

provide the children with free balloons

3 : to have as a condition : stipulate

the contract provides that certain deadlines will be met

See provide defined for English-language learners

See provide defined for kids

Examples of provide in a Sentence

The Web site provides information about local activities.
The curtains on the windows provide privacy.
The school provided new uniforms for the band.
The goal is to provide health care to as many people as possible.
Coffee and doughnuts will be provided at the meeting.
The Web site provides users with information about local activities.
The school provided the band with new uniforms.
The store provides its customers with excellent service.
Workers were provided with gloves for protection.
The contract provides that certain deadlines will be met.

Recent Examples of provide from the Web

The indictment provided one of the clearest illustrations to date of the inner workings of the Russian operation that carried out the hacking of the Democratic Party and other targets.

— BostonGlobe.com, "How Russian spies hid behind bitcoin in hacking campaign," 14 July 2018
The park district also provided first aid materials, bottled water and hand sanitizing stations.

— diane dachota, chicagotribune.com, "Families camp overnight in Spring Rock Park," 14 July 2018
Meanwhile, Energy Secretary Rick Perry provided what was likely an explanation for Trump’s extraordinary outburst over Germany’s oil and gas deals with Russia.

— david meyer, Fortune, "'Rudeness Upon Rudeness:' Even Theresa May's Opponents Are Taken Aback By Trump's Brexit Attack," 13 July 2018
Also, Milwaukee's growing streetcar system provided a cheaper and faster way for workers to commute to other factories in Walker's Point, said John Gurda, a Milwaukee historian and author.

— tom daykin, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Model railroad club still operates in a historic train station hiding in plain sight in the Harbor District," 13 July 2018
In 2017, the service provided nearly 200 million downloads.

— joe karaganis, Washington Post, "Russia is building a new Napster — but for academic research," 13 July 2018
Perisic provided a relentless threat to Gareth Southgate’s team, with his powerful and purposeful runs down the left flank and at the heart of England’s defence causing consistent problems throughout the latter stages of the match.

— SI.com, "Injury Threatens to Rule Star Ivan Perisic Out of Croatia's World Cup Final Meeting With France," 13 July 2018
The administration initially provided a list of about 100 kids under 5 who were believed eligible for reunification by this week's deadline but whittled down the list to fewer than 60 by Thursday.

— paulina dedaj, Fox News, "Federal judge commends Trump administration for 'good faith' in family reunifications," 13 July 2018
Helms, an Anchorage resident and employee with First National Bank Alaska, provided his version of events in a letter to Rep. Paul Seaton, R-Homer.

— alex demarban, Anchorage Daily News, "As troopers investigate, new details emerge in Seward Highway crash that killed motorcyclist," 12 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'provide.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of provide

Middle English, from Latin providēre, literally, to see ahead, from pro- forward + vidēre to see — more at pro-, wit

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First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

provide Synonyms

PROVIDE Defined for English Language Learners

provide

verb

Definition of provide for English Language Learners

: to make (something) available : to supply (something that is wanted or needed)
: to give something wanted or needed to (someone or something) : to supply (someone or something) with something
: to say that something will or should happen : to make it certain or possible that something will happen or be done