provide

verb

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pro·vide | \ prə-ˈvīd

provided; providing

Definition of provide

transitive verb

1a : 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

2 : to have as a condition : stipulate the contract provides that certain deadlines will be met

3 archaic : to prepare in advance

intransitive verb

1 : to make preparation to meet a need provide for entertainment especially : to supply something for sustenance or support provides for the poor

2 : to make a proviso or stipulation the Constitution … provides for an elected two-chamber legislature — Current Biography

3 : to take precautionary measures provide for the common defense — U.S. Constitution

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing provide Learn More About provide

Examples of provide in a Sentence

The website 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 website 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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web The department is accepting bids from companies through June 10 to provide social-studies books for five years starting in 2023. — Orlando Sentinel, 19 May 2022 Take 40 percent off this portable, waterproof speaker that will provide up to five hours of powerful sound and music for your backyard parties. — Taylor Giangregorio, Popular Mechanics, 18 May 2022 In other words, there is no good reason why many birth control pills provide a week off for menstruation. — Kim Elsesser, Forbes, 18 May 2022 Incentivizing people to work will not only benefit the area to provide employees for the new businesses, but will help individuals to become more productive and self-confident citizens. — Baltimore Sun, 18 May 2022 Plans are in the works to expand the facilities to provide recycled water for 1 million people. — Michael Smolenscolumnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2022 The surge in energy prices, in part a consequence of the Ukraine war, has hit household budgets hard, spurring calls for the government to provide further help for the poorest. — Paul Hannon, WSJ, 18 May 2022 This would allow photosynthetic power to provide energy for a multitude of devices. — Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 16 May 2022 Code violations listed in online city records dated to 2014 and earlier, include failures to properly maintain elevators, install smoke detectors in some stairwells, and to provide for testing of the fire pump. — Robert Mccoppin, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2022 See More

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.