intervene

American  

[in-ter-veen] / ˌɪn tərˈvin /

verb (used without object)

intervened, intervening

1. to come between disputing people, groups, etc.; intercede; mediate.

   Synonyms:

   interpose, arbitrate

2. to occur or be between two things.

3. to occur or happen between other events or periods.

   Nothing important intervened between the meetings.

4. (of things) to occur incidentally so as to modify or hinder.

   We enjoyed the picnic until a thunderstorm intervened.

5. to interfere with force or a threat of force.

   to intervene in the affairs of another country.

6. Law. to interpose and become a party to a suit pending between other parties.

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intervene British  

/ ˌɪntəˈviːn /

verb

1. (often foll by in) to take a decisive or intrusive role (in) in order to modify or determine events or their outcome

2. to come or be (among or between)

3. (of a period of time) to occur between events or points in time

4. (of an event) to disturb or hinder a course of action

5. economics to take action to affect the market forces of an economy, esp to maintain the stability of a currency

6. law to interpose and become a party to a legal action between others, esp in order to protect one's interests

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Other Word Forms

• intervener
  noun
• reintervene
  verb (used without object)
• unintervening
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of intervene

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin intervenīre “to come between,” from inter- inter- + venīre “to come”; see also basis, come

Explanation

From the Latin "intervenire," meaning “to come between,” the verb intervene means just that: to get involved, to jump in the middle of something, to interfere. The verb intervene was first recorded around 1600. Since then there haven't been many interventions in its meaning or usage. You should probably intervene in a heated verbal fight between two of your friends before it escalates and gets physical. Especially if they're debating the United States’ habit of intervening in international conflicts.

Example Sentences

“Given the short time period, we were not able to intervene and prevent this person from reaching the runway,” airport Chief Executive Officer Phillip Washington said at the news conference Tuesday.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2026

“It’s horrible and heartbreaking and pathetic that the city administrators don’t intervene with DTE to ensure trees are not butchered,” one resident said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026

He believes a tax on AI's use would help slow its uptake by companies and would allow the government to intervene if the impact on human jobs was particularly disruptive.

From BBC • May 4, 2026

First, in April 2025, lawmakers passed a law intended to clarify when doctors could intervene in medical emergencies.

From Slate • May 4, 2026

His mother had to intervene to put a brake on his stream of orders.

From "Tiger, Tiger" by Lynne Reid Banks

Related Words

• arbitrate
• intercede
• interfere
• involve
• meddle
• negotiate