prevention
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /prɪvˈɛnʃən/
US
- /priˈvɛnʃən/
Description
- stopping something before it happens
- safeguarding
- proactive action
Prevention isn't about fixing problems - it's about stopping them from starting in the first place. Think of a knight preparing for battle: they don't wait to be attacked; they put on armor and sharpen their sword ahead of time. It's like building a dam to stop flooding or getting vaccinated to protect yourself from a disease.
Prevention can apply to big things - like crime prevention programs in cities - or small things, like using sunscreen to avoid sunburn. You might practice fire drills at school, or do regular car maintenance to help stop accidents. It's all about being prepared and taking steps before something bad happens. A famous saying goes, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
Prevention refers to the act of stopping something unwanted from happening or reducing its harmful effects. It's a proactive approach that focuses on dealing with possible problems before they arise, rather than reacting to them after they happen.
You see prevention in many areas of life. In healthcare, it includes things like vaccinations, regular check-ups, and healthy lifestyle choices – all aimed at preventing illness. In public safety, it encompasses measures like neighborhood watch programs, security systems, and traffic laws designed to prevent crime and accidents.
But prevention isn't limited to these formal contexts. It can be as simple as backing up your computer files to prevent data loss, or checking the weather forecast before a picnic so you don't get caught in a storm. It's about foresight, planning, and taking responsible action.
The concept of prevention is often linked to risk assessment - identifying possible dangers and then using strategies to lower those risks. It's also closely tied to responsibility; individuals, communities, and governments all have a role to play in promoting preventive measures.
So, whether it's safeguarding your health, protecting your property, or building a safer community, prevention is about taking control and working toward a better future by stopping problems before they even begin.
Examples
- 1
Hygiene
Regular handwashing is an important part of flu prevention.
- 2
Crime
The city invested more money in crime prevention.
- 3
Fire safety
Smoke alarms are required for fire prevention in all apartment buildings.
- 4
Health program
The program focuses on the prevention of childhood obesity.
Pattern
prevention of + problem/harm
the usual pattern for the harm being stopped
- 5
Cancer screening
Early screening plays a key role in cancer prevention.
- 6
Workplace safety
The company introduced a new accident prevention plan after several workers were hurt.
- 7
Proverb
Doctors often say prevention is better than cure, especially with heart disease.
Phrase
prevention is better than cure
it is better to stop a problem early than fix it later
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- preventionnoun
Forms
- preventionspluralnoun