intervene

Definition of intervene

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -iːn

Verb

to intervene (third-person singular simple present intervenes, present participle intervening, simple past and past participle intervened)

1. To come between, or to be between, persons or things; -- followed by between; as, the Mediterranean intervenes between Europe and Africa.
2. To occur, fall, or come between, points of time, or events; as, an instant intervened between the flash and the report; nothing intervened ( i. e., between the intention and the execution) to prevent the undertaking.
3. To interpose; as, to intervene to settle a quarrel; get involved, so as to alter or hinder an action
4. (law) In a suit to which one has not been made a party, to put forward a defense of one's interest in the subject matter.

Related terms

• intervention