intervention
/ɪntəˈvɛnʃ(ə)n
/noun [mass noun]
1The action or process of intervening: a high degree of state intervention in the economy [count noun]: repeated interventions by central banks...
- The result is one of the simplest artistic interventions I have ever seen and one of the most unforgettable.
- However, these incentives are often distorted by interventions in the market.
- Many have raised several matters that Ann's kindly interventions have resolved.
1.1Interference by a state in another’s affairs: the government was reported to be considering military intervention...
- Does the goal of defending or developing democracy justify military intervention and occupation of a country?
- There is growing global resentment concerning Americas policy of intervention in global affairs.
- Globalisation accelerates both the economic and military impact of imperialist intervention.
Synonyms
involvement, intercession, interceding, interposing, interposition;
mediation, mediatorship, arbitration, conciliation, peacemaking;
interference, intrusion, meddling
rare arbitrament
1.2Action taken to improve a medical disorder: two patients were referred for surgical intervention...
- The data will be analysed for possible trends and ways to improve and target medical intervention.
- Lack of medical intervention can lead to disability, pain, and reduced functioning.
- One child exhibited odd behaviour and one mild respiratory depression requiring no medical intervention.
1.3 [count noun] An occasion on which a person with an addiction or other behavioural problem is confronted by a group of friends or family members in an attempt to persuade them to address the issue: as her health worsened, her daughters considered staging an intervention...
- In the early 1990s, they staged an intervention, warning him that he was killing himself.
- Perhaps if enough of his buddies feel this way, but are afraid to say something, they might help stage an intervention.
- Tina claims the family was so concerned for her well-being, at one point they staged an intervention.
Derivatives
interventional
- Besides interventional campaigns for prevention, there must also be rejection from within, of habits such as smoking
- This not only results in less risk to the patient, but is also reassuring to the interventional cardiologist in that any emergency complication is unlikely when the patient leaves the hospital.
- Over 15 cardiologists, five surgeons, five interventional radiologists and two vascular surgeons are attached to the Metro Heart Hospital.
Origin
Late Middle English: from Latin interventio(n-), from the verb intervenire (see intervene).