intervention - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
intervention Word Meanings
- the act of intervening in a situation
- an action taken to improve a situation
- medical treatment to improve a patient's condition
intervention Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
intervention Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˌɪntəˈvɛnʃən/
US
/ˌɪntərˈvɛnʃən/
intervention Word Etymology
inter- = between + venire = to come; historical origin: Latin → Old French → English. Imagine someone stepping in between two people in a conversation, making an effort to resolve a dispute.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I lean forward and push the lever, a small move that changes the scene around me. The numbers shift on the monitor as I adjust the settings, and I feel the room tilt toward calm. It’s a quiet move of decision and control, a moment of intervention that aims to steady the room and keep a patient on the road to better days.
Real Context
Intervention is the act of stepping in to influence a situation, often to prevent harm or improve outcomes. It can refer to outside help in a conflict, a medical treatment designed to address a health issue, or a deliberate action by authorities to modify events. In everyday English, 'intervention' suggests a purposeful, sometimes formal act taken after identifying a problem, whereas 'interference' emphasizes intrusion or meddling rather than a constructive change. The word is versatile, used in fields from psychology to public health and international affairs, where an intervention aims to alter what would otherwise unfold toward a better outcome.
Usage Reminders
- Noun form, not a verb; use intervene as the verb
- Distinguish intervention from interference (negative)
- Common in medical, policy, and social contexts
- Often followed by in/with/to depending on context
- Specify who intervenes and why
Common Misconceptions
- Intervention = medical treatment only
- Intervention is always negative or intrusive
- Intervention means doing something immediately in every situation
- Intervention replaces prevention
- Intervention is something governments do only abroad
Thinking Differences
English tends to treat intervention as a neutral, purposeful action aimed at improvement; learners should not equate it with merely 'getting involved' or with negative terms like interference. Pay attention to subtle connotations across contexts (medical, political, social).
Learning Tips
- Learn common collocations: medical intervention, policy intervention, military intervention
- Differentiate intervention (neutral) vs interference (negative)
- Practice with prepositions: intervention in/for/with
- Notice formality: more formal in official contexts
- Use in both concrete (medical) and abstract (policy) contexts
- Check subject: who intervenes and why
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'intervention'?
A.Indifference
B.Interference
C.Approval
D.Release
Step 2: Usage
How is 'intervention' used in a sentence?
A.The siblings disagreed on the intervention plan.
B.The manager offered a promotion as an intervention.
C.The teacher requested an intervention for the struggling student.
D.The doctor prescribed an intervention for healthy living.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is similar to 'intervention'?
A.Tolerance
B.Intercession
C.Neglect
D.Liberty
Step 4: Opposite Words
Which word is the opposite of 'intervention'?
A.Involvement
B.Noninterference
C.Assistance
D.Compromise
Step 5: Mastery
In what real-life context would you expect to see an intervention take place?
A.At a shopping mall for a sale event
B.At a beach for a wellness retreat
C.At a school to help a struggling student
D.At a movie theater for a film premiere
Related Listening
🌱 Lite (Beginner)
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