Read our collection of word stories detailing the etymology and semantic development of a wide range of words, including ‘dungarees’, ‘codswallop’, and ‘witch’. All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and Prevent Drug Misuse other reference data is for informational purposes only. You do not use ‘prevent’ to say that something keeps you safe from something unpleasant or harmful. If someone or something prevents you from doing something, they do not allow you to do it. Get the Word of the Day every day! Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, has been used for over a decade to prevent HIV, but its reliance on a daily pill has limited its impact on global infections.
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- 15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4c
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- Read our collection of word stories detailing the etymology and semantic development of a wide range of words, including ‘dungarees’, ‘codswallop’, and ‘witch’.
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- Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, has been used for over a decade to prevent HIV, but its reliance on a daily pill has limited its impact on global infections.
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from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
- You do not use ‘prevent’ to say that something keeps you safe from something unpleasant or harmful.
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- Prevent (third-person singular simple present prevents, present participle preventing, simple past and past participle prevented)
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Origin of prevent1 Definition of prevent verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary Worthy and wicked (Words meaning ‘good’ and ‘bad’) 15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4c
Rhymes for prevent
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Word History
Prevent (third-person singular simple present prevents, present participle preventing, simple past and past participle prevented) Learn a new word every day. Prevent, anticipate, forestall mean to deal with beforehand. Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. Sign up to receive the Oxford English Dictionary Word of the Day email every day. Access our word lists and commentaries on an array of fascinating topics, from film-based coinages to Tex-Mex terms.
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Word of the Day
In cases of diminished capacity, legal guardianship may be necessary to prevent financial abuse.” WHO says countries must also create healthier environments to promote good health and prevent obesity. We believe there are competing bidders for the club that are above the ’25p in the pound’ threshold that will prevent the club from facing any penalties once they exit administration.