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intervention

in-ter-VEN-shun /ˌɪn.tərˈvɛn.ʃən/

nounB2TOEFLIELTS

formalgeneral

The action or process of intervening, especially to improve a situation.

Implies stepping in or interfering, often with a deliberate purpose to change or improve an outcome. In medicine, it's a specific action taken to treat or prevent disease.

The story behind the word. The word 'intervention' comes from the Latin 'interventio,' which means 'a coming between.' It's built from the prefix 'inter-' meaning 'between' and the verb 'venire' meaning 'to come.' So, an intervention is literally an act of 'coming between' two things or a situation to influence its outcome. This perfectly captures the idea of stepping into a process or conflict to make a difference.

Word relationships

interference: Interference often carries a negative connotation of unwanted meddling; intervention is usually seen as a positive or necessary action.
mediation: Mediation is specifically about resolving disputes between parties; intervention is a broader term for stepping into any situation.

abstention: The act of refraining from doing something.
non-interference: The policy of not getting involved.

Commonly confused with

interruption: Interruption is a temporary break in an activity; intervention is a deliberate act to change a situation.

Word family

intervene (verb): To come between so as to prevent or alter a result or course of events.

Collocations

medical intervention
surgical intervention
therapeutic intervention
early intervention
government intervention

Example sentences

"Early medical intervention can prevent many minor health issues from becoming serious." Discussing medical treatments.
"Government intervention was necessary to stabilize the economy during the crisis." Referring to public policy.
"The therapist recommended a family intervention to address the teenager's behavioral problems." From a psychological study.

Memory hook

INTER-vention is when you come INTER (between) two things to change them. Come-Between

When not to use

Avoid using 'intervention' when a simpler word like 'help' or 'action' suffices, unless you want to emphasize a deliberate, often formal, act of stepping in.

Fun facts

In medicine, an 'interventional cardiologist' performs procedures like angioplasty to treat heart conditions, directly 'intervening' in the body.
The concept of 'early intervention' is critical in many fields, from education to mental health, emphasizing the benefits of addressing problems promptly.