pre·ven·ta·tive
pri-ˈven-tə-tiv 
: devoted to or concerned with preventing something from happening : preventive entry 1
The best preventative medicine that you can give to your plants is to mulch them.—
Ann Whynman
Ann WhynmanLos Angeles County promised to revamp its system, gradually reducing the use of expensive inpatient hospitals through more preventative care at outpatient clinics.—Jonathan Cohn
Jonathan Cohn
plural preventatives
: something that serves to prevent something from occurring : preventive entry 2
We've got the live vaccinia virus vaccine as a preventative for smallpox …—D. A. Henderson et al.
D. A. Henderson et al.Green onions are a mosquito preventative.—Garrison Keillor
Garrison KeillorExamples of preventative in a Sentence
Adjective
the department in charge of taking preventative measures against international terrorism
Recent Examples on the Web
Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Although most cases of the virus are cleared up within one to three days, the health agency notes that it can still be spread for a few days after, therefore proper preventative measures must be taken.
—Moná Thomas, People.com, 12 Mar. 2025
Karlo Tanjuakio, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
Tick preventatives and quick removal of ticks is the best way to avoid problems.
—Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 14 Apr. 2024
See All Example Sentences for preventative
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Adjective
Our health system suffers a dire shortage of suitable preventative, short-term, and long-term treatment options for kids with mental illnesses.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Although most cases of the virus are cleared up within one to three days, the health agency notes that it can still be spread for a few days after, therefore proper preventative measures must be taken.
—Moná Thomas, People.com, 12 Mar. 2025
Noun
By incorporating this approach, healthcare can shift from reactive to preventative.
—Karlo Tanjuakio, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
Tick preventatives and quick removal of ticks is the best way to avoid problems.
—Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 14 Apr. 2024
See All Example Sentences for preventative
Cite this Entry
“Preventative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preventative. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
preventative
adjective or noun
pre·ven·ta·tive
pri-ˈvent-ət-iv
Medical Definition
preventative
adjective or noun
pre·ven·ta·tive
pri-ˈvent-ət-iv
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