# prevent

/pɹiˈvɛnt/ (US) · /pɹɪvˈɛnt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/prevent
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to stop an event

verb · CEFR A2

to stop something from happening before it starts.

For teachers: to keep an event or situation from occurring through prior action.

- The new laws were designed to prevent accidents on the highway.
- The rapid intervention of the fire department prevented the small blaze from spreading to the adjacent residential buildings.

Usage: Often used with 'from' followed by a gerund (-ing form).

### 2. to stop a person

verb · CEFR A2

to make it impossible for someone to do something.

For teachers: to hinder or stop someone from carrying out an action.

- A heavy cold prevented her from going to the party.
- Strict security protocols prevented the unauthorised visitors from entering the laboratory without a senior staff member present.

Usage: Follows the pattern 'prevent someone from doing something'.

## Examples

- Regular exercise can help prevent many health problems.
- The new security cameras are designed to prevent theft during the night.
- While the government implemented several measures to prevent the spread of the virus, the lack of public cooperation undermined their overall effectiveness.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.