Reading Theme:
Intervention: Definition, Usage & Common Examples (3 meaning)
Meaning 1：medical action (intervention)
intervention
/ˌɪntərˈvenʃn/
n.
An action taken to improve a health situation or prevent it from getting worse, like a doctor's advice or a medical procedure.
medical action
➕
/ˈmedɪkl ˈækʃn/
n.
An action or procedure performed to improve a health condition or prevent it from deteriorating.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'intervenire' (to come between), from 'inter-' (between) + 'venire' (to come).
💡 Mnemonic
Think INTER (international) + VENT (vent/opening) + ION (action). An international opening for action to come between a situation.
📖 Example
The doctor said intervention at an early stage, like regular exercise, could prevent the condition from worsening.
The doctor stated that early intervention, such as consistent exercise, could stop the condition from deteriorating.
🔗 Collocations
surgical intervention – a medical procedure involving an operation
early intervention – action taken at the beginning stages of a problem
crisis intervention – immediate professional help during a mental health emergency
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
neglect (n.) – failure to care for properly
🌱 Derivatives
intervene (v.) – to come between so as to prevent or alter a result or course of events
📖 Cultural Story
The term 'intervention' became a crucial concept in 20th-century foreign policy and international law, particularly in debates over humanitarian intervention versus the principle of non-interference in sovereign states' affairs.
Meaning 2：educational support (intervention)
intervention
/ˌɪntərˈvenʃn/
n.
Extra help or support provided by teachers to students who are struggling with their studies.
educational support
➕
/ˌedʒuˈkeɪʃənl səˈpɔːrt/
n.
Specialized assistance provided to students who are falling behind or struggling to meet academic standards.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The school offers reading intervention programs for students who need extra help with their literacy skills.
The school provides specialized reading support programs for students requiring additional assistance with literacy.
🔗 Collocations
targeted intervention – support designed for a specific group's needs
intervention strategy – a planned method for providing support
academic intervention – extra help focused on school subjects
🔄 Synonyms
remediation (n.) – the action of remedying something, especially teaching to overcome deficiencies
support (n.) – assistance provided to enable someone to succeed
tutoring (n.) – giving extra, private instruction
🚫 Antonyms
neglect (n.) – failure to give proper care or attention
🌱 Derivatives
interventional (adj.) – involving or characterized by intervention
Meaning 3：involvement in another's affairs (intervention)
intervention
/ˌɪntərˈvenʃn/
n.
When a country or international organization gets involved in another country's affairs, often to stop a conflict or crisis.
involvement in another's affairs
➕
/ɪnˌvɑːlvmənt ɪn əˈnʌðərz əˈferz/
n.
The involvement of a state or international body in the domestic affairs of another sovereign state, typically for political, military, or humanitarian reasons.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The United Nations discussed the possibility of a humanitarian intervention to deliver aid to the disaster-stricken region.
The United Nations considered the potential for humanitarian involvement to provide aid to the region affected by disaster.
🔗 Collocations
military intervention – the use of armed forces to become involved in a situation
humanitarian intervention – involvement motivated by the desire to prevent human suffering
foreign intervention – involvement by an external country or power
🔄 Synonyms
interference (n.) – the action of interfering, often unwelcomely, in another's affairs
involvement (n.) – the fact or condition of being involved
intercession (n.) – the action of intervening on behalf of another
🚫 Antonyms
non-interference (n.) – the principle or practice of not intervening
neutrality (n.) – the state of not supporting or helping either side
🌱 Derivatives
interventionist (adj./n.) – (adj.) favoring intervention; (n.) a person who favors intervention
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