provided; providing
1
a
: to supply or make available (something wanted or needed)
provided new uniforms for the band
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
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
Current Biography3
: to take precautionary measures
… provide for the common defense …—U.S. Constitution
U.S. ConstitutionExamples 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.
Recent Examples on the Web
For example, individual filers can receive up to $994, couples filing jointly can receive $1,491, and those providing essential care to SSI recipients can receive up to $498.
—Asher Notheis, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
Liutaurus Lelevicius provides a spark TCU junior forward Liutaurus Lelevicius has played some of his best basketball this season against the Jayhawks.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Mar. 2026
Ukraine has exported a significant amount of its grain through Romania during the war, and Bucharest has provided energy support to Kyiv as Moscow's forces blast Ukraine's power grid.
—Hanna Arhirova The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 13 Mar. 2026
According to the California Canning Peach Association, growers who supply Del Monte typically operate under contracts that can last a decade or more, providing stability for crops that take years to establish.
—Nina Burns, CBS News, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for provide
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Asher Notheis, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
Liutaurus Lelevicius provides a spark TCU junior forward Liutaurus Lelevicius has played some of his best basketball this season against the Jayhawks.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Mar. 2026
Ukraine has exported a significant amount of its grain through Romania during the war, and Bucharest has provided energy support to Kyiv as Moscow's forces blast Ukraine's power grid.
—Hanna Arhirova The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 13 Mar. 2026
According to the California Canning Peach Association, growers who supply Del Monte typically operate under contracts that can last a decade or more, providing stability for crops that take years to establish.
—Nina Burns, CBS News, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for provide
Cite this Entry
“Provide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/provide. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
provide
verb
pro·vide
prə-ˈvīd 
provided; providing
1
: to take care of beforehand
provide against a possible scarcity
2
: to state a condition or stipulation
the contract provided for 10 paid holidays
3
: to supply what is needed for support
provides for a large family
4
: to supply or furnish for use
cows provide milk
provider
noun
Etymology
Middle English providen "to provide," from Latin providēre, literally, "to see ahead," from pro- "ahead, forward" and vidēre "to see" — related to vision
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