/ prəˈvaɪd; NAmE / verb
1.
[ vn ] provide sb (with sth) | provide sth (for sb) to give sth to sb or make it available for them to use
SYN supply :
The hospital has a commitment to provide the best possible medical care.
We are here to provide a service for the public.
We are here to provide the public with a service.
Please answer questions in the space provided.
The report was not expected to provide any answers.
2.
[ v that ] ( formal ) ( of a law or rule ) to state that sth will or must happen
SYN stipulate :
The final section provides that any work produced for the company is thereafter owned by the company.
—see also provision
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PHRASAL VERBS
- provide against sth
- provide for sb
- provide for sth
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (also in the sense prepare to do, get ready ): from Latin providere foresee, attend to, from pro- before + videre to see.