1. Give something useful or necessary to
   "We provided the room with an electrical heater";
   - supply, render, furnish, offer
    
2. Furnish what is needed or desired
   "The charity provides food for the homeless";
   - supply, cater, put up
    
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. Supply means of subsistence; earn a living
   "He provides for his large family by working three jobs";
   - bring home the bacon [informal]
    
5. Take measures in preparation for
   "provide for the proper care of the passengers on the cruise ship"
    
6. Present or mount (resistance, opposition, defence, etc.)
   "provide a good fight";
   - put up, offer
    
7. 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

Derived forms: provided, providing, provides

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

Encyclopedia: Provide