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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