noun
Common
intervention
ihn-tuh-VEHN-shuhn
Intervention (noun) means the act of becoming involved in a situation in order to influence or change its outcome. Example: “Doctors recommended early intervention to slow the disease.”
noun
1
The act of becoming involved in a situation in order to influence or change its outcome.
"Doctors recommended early intervention to slow the disease."
"Foreign intervention in the conflict remains controversial."
"The teacher's quick intervention stopped the argument before it turned into a proper fight."
2
A planned confrontation in which family or friends urge someone to get help for an addiction or harmful behaviour.
"His family staged an intervention after his drinking spiralled out of control."
"After weeks of worry, her friends organised an intervention and begged her to see a counsellor."
"Have you ever been part of an intervention for someone you love?"
3
A medical procedure or operation.
"The patient required surgical intervention within hours."
"Most knee problems can be treated without any major intervention."
"The surgeon explained that the intervention would take about two hours."
How to use intervention
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishStepping in to change how a situation unfolds — from politics to medicine to a friend's addiction.
Common pairings
military intervention
stage an intervention
early intervention
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Word forms
- Plural
- interventions
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Doctors recommended early _____ to slow the disease.
Etymology
From Latin interventio, from intervenire, "to come between."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
nonintervention
Related words
Rhymes for intervention
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for intervention →
Frequently asked questions
What does “intervention” mean?
The word “intervention” means the act of becoming involved in a situation in order to influence or change its outcome. In plain terms, stepping in to change how a situation unfolds — from politics to medicine to a friend's addiction.
How do you pronounce “intervention”?
“Intervention” is pronounced ihn-tuh-VEHN-shuhn (/ɪntɚˈvɛnʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “intervention” in a sentence?
Here is “intervention” used in a sentence: “Doctors recommended early intervention to slow the disease.”
What part of speech is “intervention”?
“Intervention” is a noun.
Where does the word “intervention” come from?
The word “intervention” comes from Latin. From Latin interventio, from intervenire, "to come between.".
Is “intervention” a common word?
“Intervention” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “intervention” have?
“Intervention” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of becoming involved in a situation in order to influence or change its outcome.
What is the difference between "intervention" and "interference"?
Both involve getting involved in a situation, but "intervention" usually suggests a deliberate, often helpful or authorized action to change an outcome, while "interference" carries a negative sense of meddling where one is not wanted. Doctors carry out an intervention, but a nosy neighbour causes interference.
When should you use "intervention" instead of "involvement"?
Use "intervention" when someone steps in specifically to influence or change what is happening, and "involvement" when you simply mean taking part in something. Intervention implies an active attempt to alter the course of events.
What are common collocations with "intervention"?
Common collocations include "military intervention," "medical intervention," "divine intervention," and "early intervention." Each phrase specifies the kind of involvement being described.
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