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| Date: | 1400-1500 |
| Language: | Latin |
| Origin: | providere 'to see ahead, provide', from videre 'to see' |
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pro‧vide S1 W1
[transitive]
[transitive]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.
Tea and biscuits will be provided.2 to produce something useful as a result : We are hoping the enquiry will provide an explanation for the accident.
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.
The search provided the police with several vital clues.3 if a law or rule provides that something must happen, it states that it must happen
provide that
formalSCLprovide against something
phrasal verbHealth insurance will provide against loss of income if you become ill.provide for somebody/something
phrasal verb1 to give someone the things they need to live, such as money, food etc : Without work, how can I provide for my children?
Without work, how can I provide for my children?2 formalSCL 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.
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.
Commanders failed to provide for an attack by sea.GRAMMAR GRAMMAR
Someone can provide something but they cannot 'provide someone' • Will they provide a car? You can say that you provide someone with something or provide something for someone • He provided me with everything (NOT provided me everything) I needed. • They did not provide enough paper for everyone (NOT to everyone). To provide for someone means to support them by giving them the things they need to live • She has to provide for her four children (NOT provide her four children).
GRAMMAR Someone can provide something but they cannot 'provide someone' • Will they provide a car? You can say that you provide someone with something or provide something for someone • He provided me with everything (NOT provided me everything) I needed. • They did not provide enough paper for everyone (NOT to everyone). To provide for someone means to support them by giving them the things they need to live • She has to provide for her four children (NOT provide her four children).
