An example of provide is to give a needy family enough food for a week.
- Now Rare to get ready beforehand
- to make available; supply
- to supply (someone) with something
- to state as a condition; stipulate
Origin of provideMiddle English providen ; from Classical Latin providere ; from pro-, pro- + videre, to see: see vision
- to prepare (for or against some probable or possible situation, occurrence, etc.)
- to make a condition; stipulate
- to furnish the means of support: usually with for
verbpro·vid·ed, pro·vid·ing, pro·vides
- a. To make available (something needed or desired); furnish: provide food and shelter for a family.b. To supply something needed or desired to: provided her family with food.
- To have as an available or desirable feature; afford: a room that provides ample sunlight through French windows.
- To set down as a stipulation or requirement: an agreement that provides deadlines for completion of the work.
- Archaic To make ready ahead of time; prepare.
- To take measures in preparation: provided for the common defense of the states in time of war.
- To supply means of subsistence: She provides for her family by working in a hospital.
- To make a stipulation or requirement: The Constitution provides for a bicameral legislature.
Origin of provideMiddle English providen, from Latin pr&omacron;vid&emacron;re, to provide for : pr&omacron;-, forward; see pro–1 + vid&emacron;re, to see; see weid- in Indo-European roots.
(third-person singular simple present provides, present participle providing, simple past and past participle provided)
- To make a living; earn money for necessities.
- It is difficult to provide for my family working on minimum wage.
- To act to prepare for something.
- To establish as a previous condition; to stipulate.
- The contract provides that the work be well done.
- I'll lend you the money, provided that you pay it back by Monday.
- To give what is needed or desired, especially basic needs.
- Don't bother bringing equipment, as we will provide it.
- We aim to provide the local community with more green spaces.
- To furnish (with), cause to be present.
- To make possible or attainable.
- He provides us with an alternative option.
- To appoint to an ecclesiastical benefice before it is vacant. See provisor.