pre·ven·tive
pri-ˈven-tiv 
: devoted to or concerned with prevention : precautionary
preventive steps against soil erosion
: such as
a
: designed or serving to prevent the occurrence of disease
preventive medical care
b
: undertaken to forestall anticipated hostile action
a preventive coup
preventively
adverb
preventiveness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of preventive in a Sentence
Adjective
Farmers are covering their crops as a preventive measure against frost.
We'll take whatever preventive action is necessary.
Noun
if people took the simple preventive of frequently washing their hands, the spread of germs could be greatly reduced
Recent Examples on the Web
Paul Grein, Billboard, 23 Oct. 2024
The rule, which would expand a federal mandate requiring health insurers to cover preventive care services at no cost to patients under the Affordable Care Act, is being proposed by the departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and Treasury.
—Dareh Gregorian, NBC News, 21 Oct. 2024
David J. Waters, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2015
Padlocks, sickles and other objects made of iron, a metal said to possess anti-demonic powers, were stashed in the grave as preventives.
—Franz Lidz, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2023
See all Example Sentences for preventive 
Adjective
Since its inception in 1991, the Person of the Year gala has raised funds to support MusiCares’ health and human services programs, which offer physical and mental health care, addiction recovery, preventive clinics, unforeseen personal emergencies, and disaster relief to music professionals.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 23 Oct. 2024
The rule, which would expand a federal mandate requiring health insurers to cover preventive care services at no cost to patients under the Affordable Care Act, is being proposed by the departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and Treasury.
—Dareh Gregorian, NBC News, 21 Oct. 2024
Noun
Indeed, failure to do so proved disastrous for some early human trials of preventives.
—David J. Waters, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2015
Padlocks, sickles and other objects made of iron, a metal said to possess anti-demonic powers, were stashed in the grave as preventives.
—Franz Lidz, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2023
See all Example Sentences for preventive
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'preventive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to preventive
Dictionary Entries Near preventive
Cite this Entry
“Preventive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preventive. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
preventive
1 of 2 noun
pre·ven·tive
pri-ˈvent-iv
: something that prevents
especially
: something used to prevent disease
preventive
2 of 2 adjective
: concerned with or used for prevention
preventive measures
preventive medicine
Medical Definition
preventive
2 of 2 adjective
: devoted to or concerned with the prevention of disease
preventive drug therapy
preventive psychiatry
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share