First Known Use: 1587
Dictionary
intervene
verb in·ter·vene \ˌin-tər-ˈvēn\
: to come or occur between two times or events
: to become involved in something (such as a conflict) in order to have an influence on what happens
: to happen as an unrelated event that causes a delay or problem
in·ter·venedin·ter·ven·ing
Full Definition of INTERVENE
intransitive verb
1
: to occur, fall, or come between points of time or events <only six months intervened between their marriage and divorce>
2
: to enter or appear as an irrelevant or extraneous feature or circumstance <it's business as usual until a crisis intervenes>
3
a : to come in or between by way of hindrance or modification <intervene to stop a fight> b : to interfere with the outcome or course especially of a condition or process (as to prevent harm or improve functioning)
4
: to occur or lie between two things
5
a : to become a third party to a legal proceeding begun by others for the protection of an alleged interest b : to interfere usually by force or threat of force in another nation's internal affairs especially to compel or prevent an action
— in·ter·ven·tion \-ˈven(t)-shən\ noun
— in·ter·ven·tion·al \-ˈvench-nəl, ˈven(t)-shə-nəl\ adjective
See intervene defined for English-language learners
See intervene defined for kids
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Origin of INTERVENE
Latin intervenire to come between, from inter- + venire to come — more at come
Related to INTERVENE
- Synonyms
- intercede, intermediate, interpose, mediate
Synonym Discussion of INTERVENE
interpose, interfere, intervene, mediate, intercede mean to come or go between. interpose often implies no more than this <interposed herself between him and the door>. interfere implies hindering <noise interfered with my concentration>. intervene may imply an occurring in space or time between two things or a stepping in to stop a conflict <quarreled until the manager intervened>. mediate implies intervening between hostile factions <mediated between the parties>. intercede implies acting for an offender in begging mercy or forgiveness <interceded on our behalf>.
Rhymes with INTERVENE
Aberdeen, almandine, amandine, argentine, Argentine, atropine, Balanchine, barkentine, bengaline, blanc de chine, bombazine, Borodin, brigandine, brigantine, brilliantine, Byzantine, carotene, carrageen, celandine, clozapine, contravene, crepe de chine, crystalline, damascene, Dexedrine, dopamine, Dramamine, drum machine, duvetyn, eglantine, endocrine, Eocene, epicene, estuarine, evergreen, fescennine, figurine, Florentine, gabardine, gaberdine, gadarene, galantine, gasoline, Ghibelline, go-between, golden mean, grenadine, Gretna Green, guillotine, Halloween, haute cuisine, Hippocrene, histamine, Holocene, in-between, indigene, jelly bean, Josephine, jumping bean, kerosene, kidney bean, langoustine, legatine, lethal gene, Levantine, libertine, limousine, lycopene, M16, magazine, make the scene, mangosteen, margravine, Medellín, melamine, messaline, mezzanine, Miocene, mousseline, navy bean, Nazarene, nectarine, nicotine, opaline, organzine, palanquin, pelerine, percaline, peregrine, philhellene, Philistine, pinto bean, Pleistocene, Pliocene, riverine, quarantine, reserpine, saccharine, Sakhalin, Saladin, San Joaquin, sapphirine, schizophrene, serpentine, seventeen, sibylline, slot machine, submarine, subroutine, supervene, tambourine, tangerine, Theatine, time machine, tourmaline, trampoline, transmarine, travertine, Tridentine, Ursuline, Vaseline, velveteen, wintergreen, wolverine, zibeline
INTERVENE Defined for Kids
intervene
verb in·ter·vene \ˌin-tər-ˈvēn\
in·ter·venedin·ter·ven·ing
Definition of INTERVENE for Kids
1
: to come or occur between events, places, or points of time <One week intervened between games.>
2
: to interfere with something so as to stop, settle, or change <I intervened in their quarrel.>
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