pro ‧ vide S1 W1 /prəˈvaɪd/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ provider , ↑ provision , provisions; verb : ↑ provide , ↑ provision ; adverb : ↑ provisionally ; adjective : ↑ provisional ]
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: providere 'to see ahead, provide' , from videre 'to see' ]
1 . to give something to someone or make it available to them, because they need it or want it ⇨ provision :
Tea and biscuits will be provided.
provide something for somebody
The hotel provides a shoe-cleaning service for guests.
provide somebody with something
The project is designed to provide young people with work.
► Do not say ‘provide someone something’. Say provide someone with something .
2 . to produce something useful as a result:
We are hoping the enquiry will provide an explanation for the accident.
provide somebody with something
The search provided the police with several vital clues.
3 . provide that formal if a law or rule provides that something must happen, it states that it must happen
provide against something phrasal verb formal
to make plans in order to deal with a bad situation that might happen:
Health insurance will provide against loss of income if you become ill.
provide for somebody/something phrasal verb
1 . to give someone the things they need to live, such as money, food etc:
Without work, how can I provide for my children?
2 . formal if a law, rule, or plan provides for something, it states that something will be done and makes it possible for it to be done:
The new constitution provides for a 650-seat legislature.
3 . formal to make plans in order to deal with something that might happen in the future:
Commanders failed to provide for an attack by sea.