prevent meaning and definition

PREVENT verb

Definition of prevent (verb)

1. keep from happening or arising; make impossible
   • "My sense of tact forbids an honest answer"; "Your role in the projects precludes your involvement in the competitive project"
   • synonyms: forbid, foreclose, forestall, preclude
2. stop (someone or something) from doing something or being in a certain state
   • "We must prevent the cancer from spreading"; "His snoring kept me from falling asleep"; "Keep the child from eating the marbles"
   • synonyms: keep
   • antonym: allow