prevention

noun

pre·​ven·​tion pri-ˈven(t)-shən How to pronounce prevention (audio)
: the act of preventing or hindering

Examples of prevention in a Sentence

Exercise and diet play a role in the prevention of heart disease. good crowd control is crucial to the prevention of riots
Recent Examples on the Web Over the past three years, her non-profit, the Tooley Community Development Group, has been awarded nearly $650,000 to provide STEM education services, case management services, and homeless prevention services not just to Mims, but to all of North Brevard and any residents who need their services. Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2024 Chafing prevention products were on the market, but mostly for cyclists and not aimed at women. Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 4 Mar. 2024 The goal, therefore, should be fire prevention, detection, and suppression. Alex Christian, WIRED, 1 Mar. 2024 The state has cited the campus at least 30 times in the past three years for problems including medication errors, allowing unqualified employees to work with residents and failing to train for fall prevention and recovery. Caitlin McGlade, The Arizona Republic, 28 Feb. 2024 In South Korea, call 109 for the Health Ministry’s suicide prevention hotline, or go to the Korean-language site 129.go.kr/109. John Yoon, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2024 George Gascón has focused resources on addiction prevention efforts and targeting high-level manufacturers and traffickers for prosecution. Hannah Wiley, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2024 The rounds of tea-washing focused, respectively, on detoxification, rejuvenation and stress relief, nourishment and calming, repairing PH balance and hair loss prevention. Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2024 Travis reminded their fans that an emergency response fund has been set up to help support the victims and their families, as well as violence prevention, mental health services, and first responders. Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 20 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prevention.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of prevention was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near prevention

Cite this Entry

“Prevention.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prevention. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

prevention

noun
pre·​ven·​tion pri-ˈven-chən How to pronounce prevention (audio)
: the act or practice of preventing something
the prevention of fires

More from Merriam-Webster on prevention

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