English Dictionary

Definition of “provide

provide (prəˈvaɪdPronunciation for provide

Definitions

verb (mainly tr)

  1. to put at the disposal of; furnish or supply
  2. to afford; yield  ⇒ this meeting provides an opportunity to talk 
  3. (intr; often foll by for or against) to take careful precautions (over)  ⇒ he provided against financial ruin by wise investment 
  4. (intr)  foll by for to supply means of support (to), esp financially  ⇒ he provides for his family 
  5. (in statutes, documents, etc) to determine (what is to happen in certain contingencies), esp by including a proviso condition
  6. to confer and induct into ecclesiastical offices
  7. rare to have or get in store  ⇒ in summer many animals provide their winter food 

Alternative Forms

proˈvider noun

Word Origin

C15: from Latin prōvidēre  to provide for, from prō-  beforehand + vidēre to see

Translations

  • British English: provide Pronunciation for provide If you provide something that someone needs or wants, you give it to them or make it available to them.They provided lots of information.prəˈvaɪd VERB They provided lots of information.
  • Spanish: suministrar Pronunciation for suministrar v
  • French: fournir Pronunciation for fournir vt
  • German: zur Verfügung stellenPronunciation for zur Verfügung stellen v
  • Chinese: 供应Pronunciation for 供应 v
  • Arabic: يُزَوَدPronunciation for يُزَوَد v
  • Portuguese: fornecerPronunciation for fornecer v
  • Russian: предоставлятьPronunciation for предоставлять v
  • Croatian: priskrbitiPronunciation for priskrbiti v
  • Czech: poskytnoutPronunciation for poskytnout v poskytovat
  • Danish: tilvejebringePronunciation for tilvejebringe v
  • Dutch: leverenPronunciation for leveren v
  • Finnish: hankkiaPronunciation for hankkia v
  • Greek: παρέχωPronunciation for παρέχω v
  • Italian: fornirePronunciation for fornire v
  • Japanese: 供給するPronunciation for 供給する v
  • Korean: 제공하다Pronunciation for 제공하다 v
  • Norwegian: skaffePronunciation for skaffe v
  • Polish: dostarczyćPronunciation for dostarczyć v dostarczać
  • Brazilian Portuguese: fornecerPronunciation for fornecer v
  • European Spanish: suministrar Pronunciation for suministrar v
  • Swedish: sörja förPronunciation for sörja för v
  • Thai: จัดหาPronunciation for จัดหา v
  • Turkish: sağlamakPronunciation for sağlamak v
  • Vietnamese: cung cấpPronunciation for cung cấp v

Usage examples

  • Gawn, on the other hand, was far better placed to provide the intelligence she demanded.
    Jennifer Fallon, TREASON KEEP (2001)
  • The answer is to provide them with the warmest conditions possible.
    Country Life (2004)
  • His thunderous cross-examinations provide the best sound bites.
    Irish Times (2002)
  • RUNNING through the central belt like an artery, the Forth and Clyde Canal will provide an attractive setting for many homes.
    Glasgow Herald (2001)
  • They would supply a sophisticated electronic weighing machine to weigh all his food and would also provide receptacles for his stools.
    Christopher Ross, TUNNEL VISIONS: Journeys of an Underground Philosopher (2001)

Browse dictionary