First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
provide
verb pro·vide \prə-ˈvīd\
: 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
: to say that something will or should happen : to make it certain or possible that something will happen or be done
pro·vid·edpro·vid·ing
Full Definition of PROVIDE
intransitive verb
1
: to take precautionary measures <provide for the common defense — United States Constitution>
2
: to make a proviso or stipulation <the Constitution…provides for an elected two-chamber legislature — Current Biography>
3
: to make preparation to meet a need <provide for entertainment>; especially : to supply something for sustenance or support <provides for the poor>
transitive verb
1
archaic : to prepare in advance
2
a : 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>
3
: to have as a condition : stipulate <the contract provides that certain deadlines will be met>
See provide defined for English-language learners
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Origin of PROVIDE
Related to PROVIDE
Rhymes with PROVIDE
abide, allied, applied, aside, astride, backside, backslide, bankside, beachside, bedside, beside, bestride, betide, blear-eyed, blindside, blow-dried, blue-eyed, broadside, bromide, bug-eyed, Burnside, clear-eyed, cockeyed, cold-eyed, collide, confide, courtside, cowhide, cross-eyed, curbside, dayside, decide, deride, divide, dockside, doe-eyed, downside, downslide, dry-eyed, ebb tide, elide, field guide, fireside, flip side, flood tide, fluoride, foreside, four-eyed, free ride, freeze-dried, Girl Guide, glass-eyed, graveside, green-eyed, hagride, hang glide, hard-eyed, hawkeyed, hayride, high tide, hillside, horsehide, inside, in stride, ironside, joyride, kingside, lakeside, landslide, low tide, lynx-eyed, misguide, moon-eyed, neap tide, nearside, nightside, noontide, offside, onside, outride, outside, pie-eyed, poolside, pop-eyed, preside, prompt side, quayside, queenside, rawhide, red tide, reside, ringside, riptide, roadside, seaside, self-pride, sharp-eyed, shipside, shoreside, Shrovetide, sloe-eyed, snowslide, springtide, squint-eyed, stateside, statewide, storewide, Strathclyde, streamside, strong side, subside, tailslide, tongue-tied, topside, trackside, trailside, untried, upside, vat-dyed, walleyed, war bride, waveguide, wayside, wide-eyed, wild-eyed, worldwide, yuletide
PROVIDE Defined for Kids
provide
verb pro·vide \prə-ˈvīd\
pro·vid·edpro·vid·ing
Definition of PROVIDE for Kids
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.>
— pro·vid·er \prə-ˈvī-dər\ noun
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