How to pronounce prevent

Say it like this: /pɹɪˈvɛnt/. Listen to real recordings below and compare how it sounds in different accents.

American/pɹɪˈvɛnt/

What does prevent mean?

verbTo stop (an outcome); to keep from (doing something).

“I brush my teeth regularly to prevent tooth decay.”

To take preventative measures.

“I think you must be mad, and she shall not have a glimpse of it while I'm here to prevent!”

To come before; to precede.

“We pray thee that thy grace may always prevent and follow us.”

Practise saying prevent out loud with your AI English tutor, or look up any other word.

Look up more words

Other words to practise

presented press pressure pretty prevention preview previous previously

Pronunciations and meanings from Wiktionary via kaikki.org, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Recordings by Wikimedia Commons contributors. This page is shared under the same license.