Origin: Latin suffix -tion
Intervention has 6 different meanings across 1 category:
the act of intervening (as to mediate a dispute, etc.)
"it occurs without human intervention"
a policy of intervening in the affairs of other countries
"The new administration's foreign policy is criticized for its heavy-handed intervention in the internal affairs of neighboring nations."
the act or fact of interposing one thing between or among others
"The sudden placement of a thick layer of insulation served as an effective intervention between the cold outside air and the warm living room."
(law) a proceeding that permits a person to enter into a lawsuit already in progress; admission of person not an original party to the suit so that person can protect some right or interest that is allegedly affected by the proceedings
"the purpose of intervention is to prevent unnecessary duplication of lawsuits"
care provided to improve a situation (especially medical procedures or applications that are intended to relieve illness or injury)
"The doctor's early intervention saved my leg from further damage after the accident."
The action of intervening; interfering in some course of events.
"The neighbors called for an intervention to stop the loud music from disrupting their sleep."
In plain English: An intervention is when someone steps in to stop or change something that is going wrong.
"The teacher's early intervention helped the student catch up with the class."
Usage: Use intervention to describe an active step taken by someone or an organization to alter the outcome of a situation, such as a friend stepping in during an argument. It implies deliberate interference intended to prevent harm or resolve a conflict rather than passive observation.
The word entered English from Middle French and originally meant the act of coming between or stepping into a situation. It is formed by adding the suffix -tion to the verb intervene.