prevent in English: To stop something from happening before it starts. (verb)

Translation

To stop something from happening before it starts.

Word origin

From Latin praevenire, meaning to come before: you arrive first and stop the thing happening.

Verb typeregular (prevent, prevents, prevented)

.

To prevent something is to stop it before it happens.

.

Note the pattern: prevent someone FROM doing something.

.

Here the brakes stop accidents from happening at all.

stop

To not move or not do something any more, or to make this happen.

avoid

To keep away from someone or something, or to stop something from happening.

protect

To keep someone or something safe from harm or danger.

save

To keep someone or something safe from harm, or to keep something to use later.

accident

Something bad that happens without anyone wanting it, such as two cars hitting each other.

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