provided; providing
1
a
: to supply or make available (something wanted or needed)
provided new uniforms for the band
b
: to make something available to
provide the children with free balloons
2
: to have as a condition : stipulate
the contract provides that certain deadlines will be met
3
archaic
: to prepare in advance
1
: to make preparation to meet a need
provide for entertainment
especially
: to supply something for sustenance or support
provides for the poor
2
: to make a proviso or stipulation
the Constitution … provides for an elected two-chamber legislature—
Current Biography
Current Biography3
: to take precautionary measures
provide for the common defense—U.S. Constitution
U.S. ConstitutionExamples of provide in a Sentence
The website provides information about local activities.
The curtains on the windows provide privacy.
The school provided new uniforms for the band.
The goal is to provide health care to as many people as possible.
Coffee and doughnuts will be provided at the meeting.
The website provides users with information about local activities.
The school provided the band with new uniforms.
The store provides its customers with excellent service.
Workers were provided with gloves for protection.
The contract provides that certain deadlines will be met.
Recent Examples on the Web
Fiber connections provide fast and reliable service, often preferred for households with many devices or heavy streaming and gaming use.
—Kara McGinley, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2025
According to an analysis provided to me by Datassential, a food-and-beverage-industry consultancy, more than half of American consumers are likely to buy an item described as spicy, up from 39 percent in 2015.
—Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 18 Aug. 2025
Staff set up dozens of cots in classrooms throughout the district’s buildings and even provided garment bags, later collecting them to wash first responders’ laundry in the school gym.
—Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2025
These conditions provide opportunities to deepen customer trust and capture market share while others scramble.
—Ryan Mallory, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provide
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Kara McGinley, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2025
According to an analysis provided to me by Datassential, a food-and-beverage-industry consultancy, more than half of American consumers are likely to buy an item described as spicy, up from 39 percent in 2015.
—Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 18 Aug. 2025
Staff set up dozens of cots in classrooms throughout the district’s buildings and even provided garment bags, later collecting them to wash first responders’ laundry in the school gym.
—Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2025
These conditions provide opportunities to deepen customer trust and capture market share while others scramble.
—Ryan Mallory, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provide
Cite this Entry
“Provide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/provide. Accessed 1 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
provide
verb
pro·vide
prə-ˈvīd 
provided; providing
1
: to take care of beforehand
provide against a possible scarcity
2
: to state a condition or stipulation
the contract provided for 10 paid holidays
3
: to supply what is needed for support
provides for a large family
4
: to supply or furnish for use
cows provide milk
provider
noun
Etymology
Middle English providen "to provide," from Latin providēre, literally, "to see ahead," from pro- "ahead, forward" and vidēre "to see" — related to vision
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