provide

verb

1. 1

   To make a living; earn money for necessities.

   It is difficult to provide for my family working on minimum wage.

2. 2

   To act to prepare for something.

   provide against disaster.

3. 3

   To establish as a previous condition; to stipulate.

   The contract provides that the work be well done.

   I'll lend you the money, provided that you pay it back by Monday.

4. 4

   To give what is needed or desired, especially basic needs.

   Don't bother bringing equipment, as we will provide it.

   We aim to provide the local community with more green spaces.

   This resort provides an evening meal for its guests.

   Humans provided the animals with food and protection in exchange for which the animals provided the humans their milk, eggs, and—yes—their flesh.

5. 5

   To furnish (with), cause to be present, supply.

   Rome […] was generally well provided with corn.

6. 6

   To make possible or attainable.

   He provides us with an alternative option.

   Plants provide (us) with the oxygen we breathe.

   Bring me berries, or such cooling fruit / As the kind, hospitable woods provide.

7. 7

   obsoleteTo foresee, to consider in advance.

   We have not been covetous, honourable fathers, to change, neither is it now any new lust that alters our affection, or old lothing, but those needful jealousies of state, that warn wiser princes hourly to provide their safety, and do teach them how learned a thing it is to beware of the humblest enemy; much more of those great ones, whom their own employed favours have made fit for their fears.

8. 8

   To appoint to an ecclesiastical benefice before it is vacant. See provisor.

   provide such natives to the higher dignities of the church

Forms

past tense

provided

past participle

provided

present participle

providing

third person singular

provides