Meaning of intervene in English

  1. Pronunciation

    /ˌɪn(t)ərˈvin/

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  1. Verb

    intervene

    Etymology

    late 16th century (in the sense ‘come in as an extraneous factor or thing’): from Latin intervenire, from inter-‘between’ + venire‘come’

    Definitions

    1. get involved, so as to alter or hinder an action, or through force or threat of force

    Examples

    • « Why did the U.S. not intervene earlier in WW II? »
  2. 2. be placed or located between other things or extend between spaces and events

    Examples

    • « This interludes intervenes between the two movements »
    • « Eight days intervened »
  3. 3. occur between other event or between certain points of time

    Examples

    • « the war intervened between the birth of her two children »