to supply what is needed for sustenance or support
provide for a large family
to make adequate preparation; to take precautions
provide against future loss
to make a proviso or stipulation
The constitution provides for an elected president
to furnish or equip (somebody with something)
Provide the children with new shoes
to supply or afford (something)
Curtains provide privacy
to state or stipulate (something)
provider noun
[Middle English providen from Latin providēre, literally ‘to see ahead’, from pro-1 + vidēre to see]