prevent, anticipate, forestall mean to deal with beforehand. prevent implies taking advance measures against something possible or probable. anticipate may imply merely getting ahead of another by …

To prevent something means to ensure that it does not happen. These methods prevent pregnancy. Further treatment will prevent cancer from developing.

PREVENT definition: 1. to stop something from happening or someone from doing something: 2. to stop something from…. Learn more.

Mar 30, 2026 · prevent (third-person singular simple present prevents, present participle preventing, simple past and past participle prevented) I brush my teeth regularly to prevent tooth decay. Barriers …

PREVENT definition: to keep from occurring; avert; hinder. See examples of prevent used in a sentence.

He grabbed my arm to prevent me from falling. Bad weather prevented us from leaving. How are you going to prevent him from finding out about the party?

Definition of prevent verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

To prevent is to stop something effectually by forestalling action and rendering it impossible: to prevent the sending of a message. To hamper is to clog or entangle or put an embarrassing restraint upon: to …

From Middle English preventen ("anticipate"), from Latin praeventus, perfect passive participle of praeveniō ("anticipate"), from prae ("before") + veniō ("come"). So the best way to prevent is to stop …

To prevent is to stop something effectually by forestalling action and rendering it impossible: to prevent the sending of a message. To hamper is to clog or entangle or put an embarrassing restraint upon: to …