intervene

verb

USin-tur-VEEN/ˌɪntɚˈvin/in-tuh-VEEN/ˌɪntə(ɹ)ˈviːn/

Formsintervenes, intervening, intervened

6 meanings of intervene

1
verbintransitive
To step into a situation in order to change or stop what is happening.
Like stepping between two people who are arguing to calm them down.
The teacher had to intervene when two students started fighting.
A neighbor intervened before the argument turned into a fight.
Similarinterfere
Note
2
verbtransitive or intransitive
To say something while others are talking, or to step in and deal with a situation that involves them.
Like jumping into a conversation to add something important.
I had to intervene and tell them they had the facts wrong.
A bystander intervened when the customer started shouting at the clerk.
Similarinterrupt
Note
3
verbintransitive
To happen in a way that gets in the way or causes a delay.
Like a traffic jam that suddenly slows down a trip you planned.
Heavy rain could intervene and push the harvest back a week.
Something always seems to intervene whenever we plan a picnic.
Similararise, interfere, intrude, occur
Note
4
verbintransitive
To happen in the time between two events or dates.
Like the time that passes between two birthdays.
Several months intervened before the two friends saw each other again.
A long weekend will intervene before the next meeting.
Similarelapse, pass
Note
5
verbtransitive or intransitive
To be or come between two people or things.
Like a wall that stands between two rooms.
Tall hedges intervene between the two gardens.
Mountains intervened between the village and the coast.
Similarlie, stand
Note
6
verbintransitive
To join a court case you were not part of, in order to protect your own interest in it.
Like joining a meeting because a decision made there affects you too.
She asked the court if she could intervene in the case.
A third company intervened in the lawsuit to protect its patent.
Note

Practice

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Origin

This word comes from 'intervention', and also from the Latin verb 'intervenio', meaning 'to come between'.