# provide

/pɹəˈvaɪd/ (US) · /pɹəvˈaɪd/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. to supply or give

verb · CEFR A2

to give someone something they need, like food, money, or information.

For teachers: to furnish or supply something required or desired. Transitive; often takes a direct object or follows the pattern 'provide someone with something'.

- The school provides all the books and pens for the students.
- The local charity provides hot meals and temporary shelter for those displaced by the recent flooding.

Usage: Commonly used with the prepositions 'with' (for the recipient) or 'for' (for the beneficiary).

### 2. to make possible

verb · CEFR B1

to make it possible for something to happen.

For teachers: to yield or afford an opportunity or result; to make a particular outcome attainable.

- The new park provides a great space for children to play safely.
- The internship provides a unique opportunity for graduates to gain hands-on experience in the competitive fashion industry.

### 3. to support a family

verb · CEFR B2

to earn enough money to pay for the things your family needs.

For teachers: to earn a livelihood or provide the means of subsistence for oneself or one's dependents.

- He worked two jobs to provide for his three children.
- After the factory closed, many families struggled to provide for their basic needs without a steady income.

Usage: Usually used intransitively with the preposition 'for'.

### 4. to state a rule

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

to state a rule or condition in a legal document.

For teachers: to establish as a condition or requirement within a legal or formal framework; to stipulate.

- The contract provides that the work must be finished by June.
- The treaty provides that all signatory nations must reduce their carbon emissions by twenty percent over the next decade.

Usage: Often followed by a 'that' clause in formal or legal writing.

## Examples

- The hotel will provide clean towels every morning.
- The local library aims to provide free internet access and educational resources to all members of the community.
- The government's new initiative is designed to provide comprehensive healthcare coverage to low-income families who previously lacked access to essential medical services.

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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.