prevention
- 1The act of stopping something from happening or getting in its way.
Like a wall that keeps something from getting through.
The tall fence was built for the prevention of trespassing.
Quick thinking led to the prevention of a serious fire.
Similaravoidance, deterrence
Note
- 2Steps taken to lower the risk of getting sick or hurt.
Like putting on a seatbelt before a crash: it stops harm before it happens.
Vaccination is one of the best forms of prevention against the flu.
Doctors say good prevention starts with washing your hands often.
Note
- 3Care taken ahead of time to avoid problems later.
Like checking the weather before you leave so you don't get caught in the rain.
A little prevention now will save you trouble later.
Saving money is a smart kind of prevention against hard times.
Similarprecaution, foresight, forethought, preparation
Note
Less common meanings
- 4Seeing ahead to what will be needed or wanted, or to dangers that may come.
[Suffolk, York and Beaufort] Have all limed bushes to betray thy wings, And, fly thou how thou canst, they’ll tangle thee: But fear not thou, until thy foot be snared, Nor never seek prevention of thy foes.
1591, William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Sixt,”Here, prevention means acting early, before danger comes.Note
- 5The act of going first, or of being ahead of something else.
Note
Practice
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Origin
It comes from Middle English "prevencion," which came from Medieval Latin "prēventiō."