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Provide Definition & Meaning

provide
verb
  1. give something useful or necessary to; "We provided the room with an electrical heater"
  2. give what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance; "The hostess provided lunch for all the guests"
  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; "put up a good fight"; "offer resistance"
  5. make a possibility or provide opportunity for; permit to be attainable or cause to remain; "This leaves no room for improvement"; "The evidence allows only one conclusion"; "allow for mistakes"; "leave lots of time for the trip"; "This procedure provides for lots of leeway"
  6. supply means of subsistence; earn a living; "He provides for his large family by working three jobs"; "Women nowadays not only take care of the household but also bring home the bacon"
  7. take measures in preparation for; "provide for the proper care of the passengers on the cruise ship"

"Provide" in song lyrics

See how provide is used in real songs:

  • "Out to burn, rackin paints by the sack to provide"
    Artifacts — Return to Da Wrongside
  • "He's in a bind, he has to provide"
    Asher Roth f/ Miguel — His Dream
  • "They call us useless eaters for whom the Earth cannot provide"
    Assassin and Poor Righteous Teachers — Wake Up! (Reveillez-Vous !)

Usage tips for "provide"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "provide" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for provide to find words that pair well.

Use "provide" in a verse

Now that you know what "provide" means, try using it in your own lyrics:

Generate a verse

Frequently asked questions

What does provide mean?
give something useful or necessary to; "We provided the room with an electrical heater" give what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance; "The hostess provided lunch for all the guests" 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" mount or put up; "put up a good fight
What part of speech is provide?
Provide is a verb.
How many definitions does provide have?
Provide has 7 definitions across 1 part of speech (verb).

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