insure

/in-ˈshu̇r/

Middle English, to assure, probably alteration of assuren

verb

  1. to provide or obtain insurance on or for

  2. to make certain especially by taking necessary measures and precautions

  3. to contract to give or take insurance

ensure insure assure secure mean to make a thing or person sure. ensure insure, and assure are interchangeable in many contexts where they indicate the making certain or inevitable of an outcome, but ensure may imply a virtual guarantee , while insure sometimes stresses the taking of necessary measures beforehand

phrasal verb

  1. to make (something bad) less likely to happen usually by planning and preparing

  2. to protect (someone) from (something bad)

Doctors recommend exercising to insure against health problems.

verb

  1. to insure oneself; especially : to practice self-insurance