1. (

• supply ,
• provide ,
• render ,
• furnish

) give something useful or necessary to; "We provided the room with an electrical heater" ;

2. (

• provide ,
• supply ,
• ply ,
• cater

) give what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance; "The hostess provided lunch for all the guests" ;

3. (

• provide

) 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. (

• put_up ,
• provide ,
• offer ,

) mount or put up; "put up a good fight"; "offer resistance" ;

5. (

• leave ,
• allow_for ,
• allow ,
• provide

) make a possibility or provide opportunity for; permit to be attainable or cause to remain; "This leaves no room for improvement"; "The evidence allows only one conclusion"; "allow for mistakes"; "leave lots of time for the trip"; "This procedure provides for lots of leeway" ;

6. (

• provide ,
• bring_home_the_bacon

) supply means of subsistence; earn a living; "He provides for his large family by working three jobs"; "Women nowadays not only take care of the household but also bring home the bacon" ;

7. (

• provide ,

) take measures in preparation for; "provide for the proper care of the passengers on the cruise ship" ;