DictionaryAI

prevent

verb
pri-VENT/pɹɪˈvɛnt/

Formsprevents, preventing, prevented

5 meanings of prevent

Practice

  1. 1
    keep from happeningverbtransitive
    To stop something, usually something bad, from happening, or to keep someone from doing something.

    Like putting up a fence to keep animals out before they can get in.

    Wearing a helmet can prevent serious head injuries.

    Good locks prevent burglars from getting into the house.

    UsageSay prevent someone from doing something (not incorrect: prevent them to go).

    Similarstop, avert, avoid, deter, forestall

    Oppositeallow, permit, cause, encourage

  2. 2
    take precautionsverbarchaicintransitive
    To act early so that trouble is stopped before it begins.
    I think you must be mad, and she shall not have a glimpse of it while I'm here to prevent!
    1897, Henry James, What Maisie KnewHere, prevent means to act early to stop trouble before it begins.
    Note
  3. 3
    verbobsoletetransitive
    To act on something before another person gets the chance.
    their ready guilt preventing thy commands
    c. 1699, Alexander Pope, “The First Book of Statius His Thebais”Here, preventing means acting before your commands are even given.
    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 4
    verbobsoletetransitive
    To come before something else in time, going ahead of it.
    We pray thee that thy grace may always prevent and follow us.
    1549, Thomas Cranmer [et al.], compilersHere, prevent means to go before, so grace goes ahead of us.
    We which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
    1611, The Holy Bible, King James VersionHere, prevent means to go before, so the living will not go ahead.
    Note
  2. 5
    verbobsoletetransitive
    To do better than someone or something else.
    With that he put his spurres vnto his steed, / With speare in rest, and toward him did fare, / Like shaft out of a bow preuenting speed.
    1596, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie QueeneHere, preuenting means outdoing, going even faster than speed itself.
    Note

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Origin

From Latin praevenio, "I come before," made from prae ("before") and venio ("I come").

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 5 facts