Words / B1

int-uh-VENSHUN/ˌɪntəˈvenʃn/

An intervention is action taken to change a situation: government intervention; early intervention; a medical intervention. Intervene is the verb (already in the dictionary). Interference sounds unwelcome; intervention can be planned and official. Do not use it for a short interruption in a meeting — that is an interruption.

Meaning

Action taken to change a situation, often to stop it getting worse.

Examples

• “Early intervention can help children with reading difficulties.”
• “Early intervention in schools can reduce later exclusions.”
• “Military intervention was ruled out in the statement, which is the political sense.”

Good to know

early / government / medical intervention. Verb: intervene. Unwelcome twin: interference. Not a brief interruption in a meeting.

New