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

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

: to deprive of power or hope of acting or succeeding

: to keep from happening or existing <steps to prevent war>

: to hold or keep back : hinder, stop —often used with from

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

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

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to PREVENT

Synonyms: avert, forestall, head off, help, obviate, preclude, stave off

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>.