prevention
Americannoun
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the act of preventing; effectual hindrance.
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a preventive.
This serum is a prevention against disease.
noun
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the act of preventing
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a hindrance, obstacle, or impediment
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of prevention
1520–30; < Late Latin praeventiōn- (stem of praeventiō ) a forestalling. See prevent, -ion
Explanation
When an action stops something from happening, like assigning extra teachers to watch a playground during recess to prevent bullying, it's called prevention. The noun prevention comes up most often when people are trying to keep something bad in check, like crime, disease, or forest fires. Educating kids about nutrition is one form of obesity prevention, for example, and lowering speed limits can help with accident prevention. The word prevent is at the root of prevention, and it comes from the Latin praeventus, "anticipate or hinder."
Vocabulary lists containing prevention
Word Generation Weekly - Series 2
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Chemical Engineering
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Florida's B.E.S.T. Common Prefixes: pre-
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The weight-loss drug market leader is renewing a focus on infectious-disease prevention.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026
The findings could have important implications for cancer treatment and prevention.
From Science Daily • May 25, 2026
The company also received a violation for allegedly failing to “implement and effective written injury and illness prevention program” in accordance with state law.
From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 2026
The health agency said "widening gaps in testing and prevention" were partly behind the surge in transmission, and called for urgent action.
From BBC • May 21, 2026
But for those not yet touched by the disease and certainly for the generations as yet unborn, prevention is the imperative need.
From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
