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

• preventiveness noun
• preventively adverb
• 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

One reason: As vet bills rise, there’s been a greater focus on preventive care in recent years — although such preventive wellness is expensive, too.

From Los Angeles Times

Men are also less likely to go for preventive check-ups or seek medical help early.

From BBC

The couple travels yearly to the University of Pennsylvania’s FTD Center for tests that track changes in his symptoms and biomarkers, with the goal of contributing to future therapies and preventive treatments.

From Los Angeles Times

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