pre ‧ vent S2 W1 /prɪˈvent/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[ Word Family: adjective : ↑ preventable , PREVENTIVE/PREVENTATIVE ; verb : ↑ prevent ; noun : ↑ prevention ; adverb : PREVENTIVELY/PREVENTATIVELY ]
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: past participle of praevenire 'to come before' ]
to stop something from happening, or stop someone from doing something:
The rules are intended to prevent accidents.
prevent somebody/something (from) doing something
His back injury may prevent him from playing in tomorrow’s game.
We were prevented from entering the site.
Wrap small ornaments in paper to prevent them being damaged.
—preventable adjective :
preventable diseases
Every one of these deaths is preventable.
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In everyday English, people usually say stop somebody/something (from) doing something rather than prevent somebody/something (from) doing something :
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This barrier is to stop people from coming in without a ticket.