- provide
- pro|videW1S1 [prəˈvaıd] v [T][Date: 1400-1500; : 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▪ Tea and biscuits will be provided.provide sth for sb▪ The hotel provides a shoe-cleaning service for guests.provide sb with sth▪ The project is designed to provide young people with work.2.) to produce something useful as a result▪ We are hoping the enquiry will provide an explanation for the accident.provide sb with sth▪ The search provided the police with several vital clues.3.) provide thatformal if a law or rule provides that something must happen, it states that it must happenprovide against [provide against sth] phr vto 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 / [provide for sb/sth] phr v1.) 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.▬▬▬▬▬▬▬GRAMMARSomeone 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).▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.