intervention

7 definitions • 13 examples

intentional action to change a situation, with the aim of improving it or preventing it from getting worse:

intervention in He warned against too much government intervention in the economy.

Human interventions in nature rarely have a positive effect, she argues.

Inspectors who visited the hospital concluded that intervention was not justified.

Repeated interventions on the currency markets failed to prevent the currency's value falling.

the action by God or a god of getting involved in a human situation in order to change it:

In this weather, there is not much you can do other than rely on divine intervention.

the action of a country or group of countries becoming involved in a military way in another country, in order to change a situation there:

intervention in She has opposed any direct intervention in the conflict, saying there are diplomatic options.

military intervention Half the people questioned said they were opposed to UN military intervention in the country's civil war.

He accused the administration of engaging in unwarranted humanitarian interventions.

a meeting at which someone with a drug or alcohol problem is asked by family members, friends, or health workers to accept the fact that they have a problem and is encouraged to get treatment:

stage an intervention A medical professional can advise family members of the most appropriate times to stage an alcohol intervention.

an occasion when someone's friends or family speak to them about a problem or situation because the person's behaviour is unreasonable or harmful:

humorous He's been playing that video game all day. I think it's time for an intervention.

the act or fact of becoming involved intentionally in a difficult situation:

[ C ] The intervention by UN troops prevented fighting from breaking out.

involvement in a difficult situation in order to improve it or prevent it from getting worse, or an occasion when this is done:

intervention in sth Any intervention in the currency markets has to be followed by a tightening of monetary policy.

government/regulatory/state intervention This comprehensive program is aimed at reducing state intervention in the economy.