provide

verb

pro·​vide prə-ˈvīd 

provided; providing

transitive verb

1

a

: to supply or make available (something wanted or needed)

provided new uniforms for the band

also : afford

curtains provide privacy

b

: to make something available to

provide the children with free balloons

2

: to have as a condition : stipulate

the contract provides that certain deadlines will be met

3

archaic : to prepare in advance

intransitive verb

1

: to make preparation to meet a need

provide for entertainment

especially : to supply something for sustenance or support

provides for the poor

2

: to make a proviso or stipulation

the Constitution … provides for an elected two-chamber legislature

—Current Biography

3

: to take precautionary measures

provide for the common defense

—U.S. Constitution

Synonyms

• deliver
• feed
• furnish
• give
• hand
• hand over
• supply

Examples of provide in a Sentence

The website provides information about local activities.

The curtains on the windows provide privacy.

The school provided new uniforms for the band.

The goal is to provide health care to as many people as possible.

Coffee and doughnuts will be provided at the meeting.

The website provides users with information about local activities.

The school provided the band with new uniforms.

The store provides its customers with excellent service.

Workers were provided with gloves for protection.

The contract provides that certain deadlines will be met.

Recent Examples on the Web

As a group, HQ Portfolio stocks provided better returns with less risk versus the benchmark index; less of a roller-coaster ride as evident in HQ Portfolio performance metrics. —Trefis Team, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025

The Grammys must be held in a major venue of that size because ticket sales provide an enormous percentage of its annual revenue, along with the network TV broadcast — which will be CBS until 2027, when Disney takes over. —Jem Aswad, Variety, 14 Jan. 2025

Establishing a daily schedule can help provide structure and purpose, which are often lost during retirement. —John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025

Context: Needle exchange programs provide clean syringes for people using drugs and dispose of used ones, steps that can reduce the spread of diseases like hepatitis C and HIV. —Esteban L. Hernandez, Axios, 14 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin providēre, literally, to see ahead, from pro- forward + vidēre to see — more at pro-, wit

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Phrases Containing provide

• provide against
• provide for

Kids Definition

provide

verb

pro·​vide prə-ˈvīd 

provided; providing

1

: to take care of beforehand

provide against a possible scarcity

2

: to state a condition or stipulation

the contract provided for 10 paid holidays

3

: to supply what is needed for support

provides for a large family

4

: to supply or furnish for use

cows provide milk

provider noun

Etymology

Middle English providen "to provide," from Latin providēre, literally, "to see ahead," from pro- "ahead, forward" and vidēre "to see" — related to vision