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provide

verb
pro·​vide | \ prÉ™-ˈvÄ«d How to pronounce provide (audio) \
provided; providing

Definition of provide

transitive verb

1a : to supply or make available (something wanted or needed) provided new uniforms for the band also : afford curtains provide privacy
b : to make something available to provide the children with free balloons
2 : to have as a condition : stipulate the contract provides that certain deadlines will be met
3 archaic : to prepare in advance

intransitive verb

1 : to make preparation to meet a need provide for entertainment especially : to supply something for sustenance or support provides for the poor
2 : to make a proviso or stipulation the Constitution … provides for an elected two-chamber legislature — Current Biography
3 : to take precautionary measures provide for the common defense — U.S. Constitution
Other Words from provide Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about provide

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Examples of provide in a Sentence

The Web site provides information about local activities. The curtains on the windows provide privacy. The school provided new uniforms for the band. The goal is to provide health care to as many people as possible. Coffee and doughnuts will be provided at the meeting. The Web site provides users with information about local activities. The school provided the band with new uniforms. The store provides its customers with excellent service. Workers were provided with gloves for protection. The contract provides that certain deadlines will be met.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Quite the opposite: Many inflate grades, bend over backward to provide accommodations, and lower their workloads and standards to enable such students to flow through their classes and out into the world with minimal friction. — Musa Al-gharbi, National Review, "Ideological Discrimination in Academia Is More Complicated than You Think," 9 Sep. 2019 Two months later, after receiving complaints about the smell of gas, utility workers found that a line from a ground-floor sushi restaurant in the building had been siphoned to provide gas to the apartments. — Jan Ransom, New York Times, "An Illegal Gas Line Killed 2 People. Should the Landlord Go to Prison?," 9 Sep. 2019 The plants are a mix of large-scale installations meant to provide lots of electricity much of the day and smaller plants used for short periods when demand for energy is particularly high. — Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, "As Earth faces climate catastrophe, US set to open nearly 200 power plants," 9 Sep. 2019 The plant’s owners, first San Diego Gas & Electric Co. and then NRG Energy, dredged the lagoon every year or two to keep it deep and wide enough to provide a steady flow of cooling water for the power plant. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Man pushes preservation of 400-foot-tall coastal smokestack," 8 Sep. 2019 In a losing effort against Winchester, the senior had a 1-yard rushing touchdown and a 40-yard interception return for a touchdown to provide the Lancers their only points in a 27-13 setback. — BostonGlobe.com, "EMass football: Franklin’s Tom Gasbarro headlines Week 1 Players of the Week," 8 Sep. 2019 Neil Taylor has been below par in the early stages of the season, struggling to provide an outlet going forward and equally struggling defensively. — SI.com, "Aston Villa Premier League Month in Review: August - Best Player, Worst Performance & Overall Rating," 8 Sep. 2019 Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash last week pledged $90 million to a ballot initiative that would preserve the independent-contractor status of drivers while allowing the companies to provide some benefits. — Alison Griswold, Quartz, "California is about to rewrite the rules of the gig economy," 7 Sep. 2019 Zeigler said that anti-toll advocates are continuing to provide comments to the Eastern Shore MPO this month to ensure that the group’s final Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) is voted on later this month without the I-10 project in it. — al, "Why Mobile didn’t vote against I-10 toll plan? Not enough votes, councilman says," 7 Sep. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'provide.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of provide

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 3

History and Etymology for provide

Middle English, from Latin providēre, literally, to see ahead, from pro- forward + vidēre to see — more at pro-, wit

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More Definitions for provide

provide

verb
How to pronounce provide (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of provide

: to make (something) available : to supply (something that is wanted or needed)
: to give something wanted or needed to (someone or something) : to supply (someone or something) with something
formal : to say that something will or should happen : to make it certain or possible that something will happen or be done

See the full definition for provide in the English Language Learners Dictionary

provide

verb
pro·​vide | \ prÉ™-ˈvÄ«d How to pronounce provide (audio) \
provided; providing

Kids Definition of provide

1 : to give something that is needed Volunteers provide meals for the poor.
2 : to supply something : supply (someone) with something The room provides a view of the city. I can't provide you with the answer.
3 : to make as a condition The rules provide that all players must practice.

Other Words from provide

provider \ prÉ™-​ˈvÄ«-​dÉ™r \ noun

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More from Merriam-Webster on provide

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with provide

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for provide

Spanish Central: Translation of provide

Nglish:

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