intervention
UK /ˌɪn.təˈven.ʃən/ US /ˌɪn.t̬ɚˈven.ʃən/ Syllables: in-ter-ven-tion
Quick answer
The act of becoming involved in a situation, especially in order to improve or stop it.
An intervention is an action taken to step into a situation, usually to change it or to stop something bad. A doctor's intervention can save a patient, a government's intervention can calm a market, and a teacher's intervention can end an argument. The word is also used for a planned conversation with someone who has a harmful habit. How it is received depends on who steps in and why: some interventions are welcomed and others are resented as interference.
"Early medical intervention greatly improved the patient's chances of recovery."Meanings
- The act of becoming involved in a situation to change it or stop it.
- Action taken, such as a treatment or a program, to improve a problem.
Example sentences
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"The doctor's quick intervention saved his life."
Level B1, Meaning 1
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"The two countries asked for outside intervention."
Level B2, Meaning 1
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"Early intervention can help children who struggle with reading."
Level B2, Meaning 2
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"Without police intervention, the fight would have grown."
Level B2, Meaning 1
Synonyms and antonyms
Synonyms
Look-alikes and common mistakes
- interference : Interference sounds negative: stepping in where you are not wanted. Intervention is neutral and can be helpful.
- invention : Invention means something new that someone made. It sounds close but is unrelated.
Word family and forms
Forms: interventions
Word partners
Words and phrases that often go with "intervention".
- early intervention
- military intervention
- government intervention
- medical intervention
- require intervention
- without intervention
Origin
Intervention came into English in the 1400s from Middle French intervention, which took it from Late Latin interventio, meaning an interruption or an occurrence. It belongs to the verb intervene, to come between, so the word keeps the picture of someone stepping into the middle.
Checked against: Wiktionary, the free dictionary, Dictionary.com.
How to remember it
Intervention begins with inter, which means between. To intervene is to step between.
Test yourself
Which word fits the gap? "The doctor's quick _____ saved his life."
Answer: intervention
In your own words, what does "intervention" mean?
The act of becoming involved in a situation, especially in order to improve or stop it.
Learn next at B1
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Sources and credits
- Wiktionary, the free dictionary (CC BY-SA 4.0) · used for the origin · checked Oct 19, 2026
- Dictionary.com · used for the origin · checked Oct 19, 2026
Last reviewed October 19, 2026. Report a mistake on this page