# prevention

/pɹiˈvɛnʃən/ (US) · /pɹɪvˈɛnʃən/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. stopping an event

noun · CEFR B2

the act of stopping something from happening or someone from doing something.

For teachers: the act of hindering, obstructing, or thwarting an action or event before it occurs.

- The prevention of crime is the main goal of the local police force.
- Effective crime prevention requires a combination of visible policing and community engagement to address the root causes of local instability.

### 2. health and safety

noun · CEFR B2

actions taken to keep people healthy and safe from risks.

For teachers: measures intended to limit health-related risks or hazards through proactive intervention.

- The doctor focused on disease prevention through a better diet and exercise.
- Public health initiatives often prioritise the prevention of chronic illnesses over the treatment of acute symptoms to reduce long-term healthcare costs.

### 3. anticipation

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

thinking ahead to deal with a problem before it arrives.

For teachers: the act of anticipating needs, hazards, or risks through forethought.

- With a little prevention, we can avoid these technical issues next time.
- The architect's prevention of structural fatigue through redundant support systems ensured the building's longevity in a seismic zone.

### 4. going before

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

the act of coming before something else in time.

For teachers: the state of preceding or going before another in time or order.

- In the old text, the author speaks of the prevention of one event by another.
- The theological treatise explored the prevention of grace, using the term in its older sense of a divine action that precedes human will.

## Examples

- Regular exercise is key to the prevention of heart disease.
- The government invested heavily in crime prevention programs to improve safety in the city center.
- Public health experts argue that the prevention of future pandemics requires global cooperation and a significant increase in funding for early warning systems.

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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.