prəˈvīd, prōˈ- verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English providen, from Latin providēre, to foresee, provide, provide for, from pro- before, forward + vidēre to see — more at pro- , wit
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to take precautionary measures : make provision — used with against or for
provide against an inflationary economy
provide for the common defense — U.S. Constitution
b. obsolete : to make ready : make preparation
men … providing to live another time — Alexander Pope
2. : to make a proviso or stipulation
provided for the adoption of collective measures — Vera M. Dean
3. : to supply what is needed for sustenance or support
the Lord will provide
we'll have to provide for him — Ellen Glasgow
transitive verb
1. archaic : to procure in advance : get ready beforehand : prepare
provide us all things necessary — Shakespeare
2.
a. : to fit out or fit up : equip — used with with
provided the children with the books they needed
provide the car with a radio
b. : to supply for use : afford , yield
olives … provide an important item of food — W.B.Fisher
the preface … provides a hint — L.R.McColvin
3. : stipulate
the contract provides that the work be completed by a given date
4. obsolete : to appoint to an ecclesiastical benefice especially before it is vacant
Synonyms:
supply , furnish : provide and supply are often interchangeable. provide may suggest equipping, stocking, or giving in the interest of preparing with foresight
to provide for one's wife and children
provide the safeguard we need against the abuse of mankind's scientific genius for destructive ends — Vera M. Dean
to provide military aid and missions for friendly countries — Current Biography
supply may apply to providing what is needed, sometimes to making up a deficiency, replacing losses or depletions, filling a gap
the book would be incomplete without some such discussion as I have tried to supply — W.R.Inge
an age which supplied the lack of moral habits by a system of moral attitudes and poses — T.S.Eliot
doctors or others supplying medical care to assistance recipients — Americana Annual
furnish , also often interchangeable with provide and supply , may sometimes apply to equipping or giving something needed in a particular situation
the first attempt in history to furnish the international society of nations with a permanent and organic system of international political institutions — P.J.Noel-Baker
our failure, he believes, is not a failure to furnish education for the average — College English