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Verb: provide  pru'vId
  1. Give something useful or necessary to
    "We provided the room with an electrical heater";
    - supply, render, furnish, offer
     
  2. Give what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance
    "The hostess provided lunch for all the guests";
    - supply, ply, cater
     
  3. Determine (what is to happen in certain contingencies), especially by including a proviso condition or stipulation
    "The will provides that each child should receive half of the money"; "The Constitution provides for the right to free speech"
     
  4. Mount or put up
    "provide a good fight";
    - put up, offer
     
  5. Make a possibility or provide opportunity for; permit to be attainable or cause to remain
    "This procedure provides for lots of leeway";
    - leave, allow for, allow
     
  6. Supply means of subsistence; earn a living
    "He provides for his large family by working three jobs";
    - bring home the bacon [informal]
     
  7. Take measures in preparation for
    "provide for the proper care of the passengers on the cruise ship"

Derived forms: providing, provides, provided

Type of: afford, condition, engage, fix, gear up, give, prepare, qualify, ready, set, set up, specify, stipulate, support, wage, yield

Encyclopedia: Provide