First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
prevent
verb pre·vent \pri-ˈvent\
: to stop (something) from happening or existing
: to make (someone or something) not do something : to stop (someone or something) from doing something
Full Definition of PREVENT
transitive verb
1
archaic a : to be in readiness for (as an occasion) b : to meet or satisfy in advance c : to act ahead of d : to go or arrive before
2
: to deprive of power or hope of acting or succeeding
3
: to keep from happening or existing <steps to prevent war>
intransitive verb
: to interpose an obstacle
— pre·vent·abil·i·ty \-ˌven-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun
— pre·vent·able also pre·vent·ible \-ˈven-tə-bəl\ adjective
— pre·vent·er noun
See prevent defined for English-language learners
See prevent defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of PREVENT
Middle English, to anticipate, from Latin praeventus, past participle of praevenire to come before, anticipate, forestall, from prae- + venire to come — more at come
Synonym Discussion of PREVENT
prevent, anticipate, forestall mean to deal with beforehand. prevent implies taking advance measures against something possible or probable <measures taken to prevent leaks>. anticipate may imply merely getting ahead of another by being a precursor or forerunner or it may imply checking another's intention by acting first <anticipated the question by making a statement>. forestall implies a getting ahead so as to stop or interrupt something in its course <hoped to forestall the sale>.
Rhymes with PREVENT
absent, accent, Advent, anent, ascent, assent, augment, besprent, cement, comment, consent, content, convent, descent, detent, dissent, docent, event, extent, ferment, foment, fragment, frequent, hell-bent, indent, intent, invent, lament, loment, low-rent, mordent, outspent, percent, pigment, portent, present, pup tent, quitrent, rack-rent, relent, repent, resent, segment, Shymkent, Tashkent, torment, well-meant, wisent
PREVENTED Defined for Kids
prevent
verb pre·vent \pri-ˈvent\
pre·vent·edpre·vent·ing
Definition of PREVENT for Kids
1
: to keep from happening <Helmets help to prevent injuries.>
2
: to hold or keep back <Bad weather prevented us from leaving.>
— pre·vent·able \pri-ˈven-tə-bəl\ adjective
Learn More About PREVENT
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: preventativePrevious Word in the Dictionary: prevenient graceAll Words Near: prevent
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up prevent? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).