prevention

noun

pre·​ven·​tion pri-ˈven(t)-shən 

: the act of preventing or hindering

Synonyms

• averting
• forestallment
• precluding

Examples of prevention in a Sentence

Exercise and diet play a role in the prevention of heart disease.

good crowd control is crucial to the prevention of riots

Recent Examples on the Web

The university saw a string of suicides around 2010, and one victim’s father sued Cornell for negligence by not implementing appropriate suicide prevention measures related to the numerous bridges in the Ithaca, New York, area. —Audrey Conklin, FOXNews.com, 2 May 2025

Continuing to shed light on aging, disease risk and prevention in this population is vital. —Jean Wactawski-Wende, The Conversation, 2 May 2025

Every facility also fell short in suicide prevention and intervention strategies, the report said, with standard suicide risk assessments not consistently administered at Imperial, Golden State Annex and Mesa Verde. —Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2025

Inspections also found deficiencies in mental health record-keeping and weaknesses in suicide prevention, Bonta said. —Teri Figueroa, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing prevention

• an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
• prevention is better than cure

Rhymes for prevention

• attention
• contention
• convention
• declension
• detention
• dimension
• dissension
• distension
• extension
• intension
• invention
• laurentian

Kids Definition

prevention

noun

pre·​ven·​tion pri-ˈven-chən 

: the act or practice of preventing something

the prevention of fires