prevention

noun

pre·​ven·​tion pri-ˈven(t)-shən 

: the act of preventing or hindering

Synonyms

• averting
• forestallment
• precluding

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

In the United States, purging data addressing LGBTQ HIV information from Federal websites denies clinicians and researchers access to vital information to target interventions for treatment, prevention or support services to those most in need. —Dr. Gary Spinner, Hartford Courant, 4 Mar. 2025

Physical activity can help maintain a healthy weight which would help in its prevention. —Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 4 Mar. 2025

In a nutshell, focus not just on threat prevention or detection but on incident preparedness and cyber resilience. —Michelle Drolet, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025

Fire Safe Councils, commonly referred to as a fire prevention version of a crimefighting Neighborhood Watch group, are grassroots organizations that partner with local fire agencies to provide educational forums on how to best prepare for and prevent wildfires. —Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing prevention

• an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
• prevention is better than cure

Rhymes for prevention

• attention
• contention
• convention
• declension
• detention
• dimension
• dissension
• distension
• extension
• intension
• invention
• laurentian

Kids Definition

prevention

noun

pre·​ven·​tion pri-ˈven-chən 

: the act or practice of preventing something

the prevention of fires