prevention
prih-VEHN-shuhn
Prevention (noun) means the act of stopping something, especially a problem or danger, before it happens. Example: “Regular handwashing is a simple form of disease prevention in schools.”
noun
1
The act of stopping something, especially a problem or danger, before it happens.
"Regular handwashing is a simple form of disease prevention in schools."
"Fire prevention starts with checking your smoke alarms regularly."
"The clinic focuses on prevention rather than just treating illness."
How to use prevention
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishStopping a problem before it starts, rather than dealing with it afterwards.
Common pairings
crime prevention
disease prevention
prevention is better than cure
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Word forms
- Plural
- preventions
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Regular handwashing is a simple form of disease _____ in schools.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin preventio, related to praevenire ("to anticipate, to come before").
Related words
Rhymes for prevention
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for prevention →
Frequently asked questions
What does “prevention” mean?
The word “prevention” means the act of stopping something, especially a problem or danger, before it happens. In plain terms, stopping a problem before it starts, rather than dealing with it afterwards.
How do you pronounce “prevention”?
“Prevention” is pronounced prih-VEHN-shuhn (/pɹɪˈvɛnʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “prevention” in a sentence?
Here is “prevention” used in a sentence: “Fire prevention starts with checking your smoke alarms regularly.”
What part of speech is “prevention”?
“Prevention” is a noun.
Where does the word “prevention” come from?
The word “prevention” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin preventio, related to praevenire ("to anticipate, to come before").
Is “prevention” a common word?
“Prevention” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between prevention and precaution?
Prevention is the act of stopping a problem or danger before it happens, focusing on the outcome. A precaution is a specific measure taken in advance to reduce risk, so precautions are the individual steps that make prevention possible.
What words commonly go with prevention?
Prevention usually pairs with the problem being stopped, as in "crime prevention", "disease prevention", "fire prevention", and "accident prevention". Each phrase names the danger that action is meant to head off.
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