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
The Tennessee National Guard said about 170 soldiers and airmen were assisting with recovery efforts, including helping more than 200 people stranded in vehicles and homes and providing rides to nearly 300 emergency and health care workers.
—Arkansas Online, 30 Jan. 2026
Doctors provide supportive care, and patients who develop severe neurological symptoms may need help breathing.
—Michal Ruprecht, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
The company expects the store to expand rapidly as more apps and partners join, providing a growing library of skills for commercial and personal robots.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 Jan. 2026
Such a program may, for instance, provide non-disabled doctors with insight into the barriers facing patients who are disabled.
—Literary Hub, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for provide
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Arkansas Online, 30 Jan. 2026
Doctors provide supportive care, and patients who develop severe neurological symptoms may need help breathing.
—Michal Ruprecht, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
The company expects the store to expand rapidly as more apps and partners join, providing a growing library of skills for commercial and personal robots.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 Jan. 2026
Such a program may, for instance, provide non-disabled doctors with insight into the barriers facing patients who are disabled.
—Literary Hub, 30 Jan. 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 30 Jan. 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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