preventive

Also pre·vent·a·tive

[pri-ven-tiv]

adjective

1. Medicine/Medical.,  of or noting a drug, vaccine, etc., for preventing disease; prophylactic.

2. serving to prevent or hinder.

   preventive measures.

noun

1. Medicine/Medical.,  a drug or other substance for preventing disease.

2. a preventive agent or measure.

preventive

/ prɪˈvɛntɪv /

adjective

1. tending or intended to prevent or hinder

2. med

   1. tending to prevent disease; prophylactic

   2. of or relating to the branch of medicine concerned with prolonging life and preventing disease

3. (in Britain) of, relating to, or belonging to the customs and excise service or the coastguard

noun

1. something that serves to prevent or hinder

2. med any drug or agent that tends to prevent or protect against disease

3. another name for contraceptive

Other Word Forms

• preventively adverb
• preventiveness noun
• nonpreventive adjective
• nonpreventively adverb
• nonpreventiveness noun
• unpreventative adjective
• unpreventive adjective
• unpreventively adverb
• unpreventiveness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of preventive¹

First recorded in 1630–40; prevent + -ive

Example Sentences

Officials have urged strict adherence to preventive measures, including frequent handwashing and social distancing in high-risk areas.

From BBC

“Understanding how diet can impact cancer development could lead to preventive strategies that we can recommend to patients in the future,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

Davis said, however, that the most effective preventive measure against measles is immunization.

From Los Angeles Times

It doesn’t diagnose or prescribe but focuses, instead, on preventive health through fitness and recreation.

From Los Angeles Times

The vaccines that are recommended by this committee are included as preventive services that insurers must provide.

From Los Angeles Times