prevent

S2 W1

BrE /prɪˈvent/ AmE /prɪˈvɛnt/

verb en → es

past prevented pp prevented ing preventing

1 STOP [transitive] B1

to stop something from happening or existing

evitar, prevenir, impedir

  • prevent sb/sth (from) doing sth

Collocations prevent an accident · prevent a disease

  • We need to prevent this from happening again.

    Necesitamos evitar que esto vuelva a suceder.

2 RESTRICT [transitive] B2

to stop someone from doing something or to make it difficult for them to do something

restringir, limitar, impedir

  • prevent sb (from) doing sth

Collocations prevent someone from speaking · prevent a child from going out

  • The law prevents people under 18 from voting.

    La ley impide que las personas menores de 18 años voten.

Phrasal verbs

prevent sb from doing sth STOP ACTION B2

impedir a alguien hacer algo

  • The police prevented the protesters from entering the building.

    La policía impidió que los manifestantes entraran en el edificio.

prevent sb doing sth STOP ACTION (INFORMAL) C1

impedir a alguien hacer algo

  • The new law prevents people from dumping waste illegally.

    La nueva ley impide que la gente arroje residuos ilegalmente.

Idioms

prevent the worst from happening C1

evitar lo peor

  • We need to prevent the worst from happening.

    Necesitamos evitar lo peor.

prevent sb's doing sth C1

impedir a alguien hacer algo

  • The government has taken steps to prevent the company's bankruptcy.

    El gobierno ha tomado medidas para impedir la quiebra de la empresa.