preventive

1 of 2

adjective

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

preventive

2 of 2

noun

: something that prevents

especially : something used to prevent disease

Synonyms of preventive

Adjective

• preventative

Noun

• precaution

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

Adjective

Qualifying power systems must operate without human intervention and without preventive or corrective work on their main propulsion, fuel and oil systems. — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026

The new recommendations advise doctors to offer preventive treatment to people who experience at least four migraine or severe headache days per month, or whose migraines interfere with their ability to work or complete daily tasks. — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 1 Sep. 2026

Noun

In addition to making anti-vaccine comments, Kennedy also downplayed pediatric deaths related to measles and touted false cures and preventives, such as the use of vitamin A. — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 8 June 2026

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

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1626, in the meaning defined above

Noun

circa 1639, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for preventive

• agentive
• attentive
• incentive
• inventive
• retentive
• disincentive
• inattentive

Kids 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

1 of 2 noun

pre·​ven·​tive -ˈvent-iv 

: something (as a drug) used to prevent disease

preventive

2 of 2 adjective

: devoted to or concerned with the prevention of disease

preventive drug therapy

preventive psychiatry