noun

prevention

prih-VEN-shun/prɪˈvenʃn/

The act or process of stopping something from happening.

The closed safety gate helps with the prevention of falls down the stairs.

A sturdy child safety gate closed across the top of stairs while an adult watches nearby, prevention of a fall, no text.

Etymology

preLatinbefore

+ventLatinto come

+ionLatinaction

The pieces express the action of “coming before,” or anticipating. In the selected sense, acting beforehand means taking measures that stop an event from happening.

In context

RAM Productions1:12

you see signs of erosion act on it quickly failure to take action early can result in a much larger issue that can require specialist input and significant financial outlay prevention is definitely better and cheaper than cure

UP2US - GULLY EROSION

More examples

The fire department teaches children about fire prevention.
Fraud prevention requires careful checks before payments are approved.
Removing loose rugs is a simple step toward fall prevention.

Forms

prevention

prevent verb — To stop something from happening or developing.

preventive adjective — Intended to stop something undesirable from happening.

Similar words

deterrence: Discourages unwanted actions through consequences rather than directly blocking them.
avoidance: Emphasizes staying away from trouble rather than stopping its occurrence.