Definition: 1. To stop somebody from doing something; to stop something from happening. 2. Keep from happening or arising; have the effect of preventing. 3. Prevent from doing something or being in a certain state.
Use 'prevent' in a sentence:
1. The object of these movements is to prevent stiffness or deformity of joints.
2. The law prevented the employment of children under ten in the cotton mills.
3. Extra payments should be made to protect the interests of the staff and prevent exploitation.
4. Dressings are changed four hourly to help prevent infection.
5. Precautions had to be taken to prevent pilfering.
6. The condition prevents the blood from circulating freely.
7. He said this would prevent companies from creating new jobs.
8. Prisoners have been placed on lockdown to prevent further violence at the jail.
9. The accident could have been prevented.
10. Japanese leaders, however, are eager to prevent a rerun of the diplomatic disaster of 1991.
11. Nothing would prevent him from speaking out against injustice.
12. There's been talk of a retaliatory blockade to prevent supplies from getting through.
13. The police have been trying to prevent them carrying weapons.
14. Riot police are being deployed throughout the city to prevent any trouble.
15. These measures are aimed at preventing violent crime.
16. Early identification of a disease can prevent death and illness.
17. The security forces had to intervene to prevent the situation worsening.
18. Urgent talks are going on to prevent the market going into financial meltdown during the summer.
19. The rain prevented them from eating outdoors.
20. They are only doing what is necessary to prevent wholesale destruction of vegetation.
21. Put a lid on to prevent heat escaping.
22. Family control would prevent any hostile takeover or greenmail attempt.
23. Early diagnosis and treatment can usually prevent blindness.
24. The club's constitution prevented women from becoming full members.
25. Police are out in force to prevent a recurrence of the violence.
26. He is prevented by law from holding a licence.
27. Lemon juice can help to prevent economy-class syndrome by improving blood circulation.
28. These methods prevent pregnancy.
29. Further treatment will prevent cancer from developing.
30. The floor is sealed to prevent water penetration.
31. Be sure to wear the correct footwear to prevent injuries to your feet.
32. Nothing would prevent him/ his speaking out against injustice.
33. Today the city government has taken measures to prevent a repetition of last year's confrontation.
34. Early warnings of rising water levels prevented another major catastrophe.
35. The drug prevents the virus from replicating itself.
36. We are taking steps to prevent pollution.
37. This can prevent air from flowing freely to the lungs.
38. We hope to prevent anything unpleasant from happening.
39. A nasty incident was prevented by the timely arrival of the police.
40. Regular exercise helps prevent weight gain.
41. A back injury prevented active participation in any sports for a while.
42. They took active steps to prevent the spread of the disease.
43. It was too late to prevent the story from appearing in the national newspapers.
44. They were trying to prevent an even worse tragedy.
45. Snow has prevented communication with the outside world for three days.
46. The bride's family were scheming to prevent a wedding.
