OBVIATE definition: to anticipate and prevent or eliminate (difficulties, disadvantages, etc.) by effective measures; render unnecessary. See examples of obviate used in a sentence.

Obviate comes ultimately from the Latin adjective obviam, meaning "in the way," and obviating does often involve figuratively putting something in the way, as when an explanatory sentence placed just …

OBVIATING definition: 1. present participle of obviate 2. to remove a difficulty, especially so that action to deal with…. Learn more.

Definition of obviate verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Nov 2, 2025 · obviate (third-person singular simple present obviates, present participle obviating, simple past and past participle obviated) (transitive) To anticipate and prevent or bypass (something which …

To avoid or prevent (a need or difficulty).... Click for English pronunciations, examples sentences, video.

obviate is a borrowing from Latin. Etymons: Latin obviāt-, obviāre. What is the earliest known use of the verb obviate? The earliest known use of the verb obviate is in the mid 1500s. OED's earliest …

To obviate means to eliminate the need for something or to prevent something from happening. If you want to obviate the possibility of a roach infestation, clean your kitchen regularly.

to think about (something) ahead of time and prevent or make unnecessary: Their plan to go south will obviate the need for warm clothes. ob•vi•a•tion /ˌɑbviˈeɪʃən/ n. [uncountable]See -via-. ob•vi•ate (ob′ …

The new medical treatment obviates the need for surgery. The new treatment obviates many of the risks associated with surgery.