prophylaxis

noun

pro·​phy·​lax·​is ˌprō-fə-ˈlak-səs How to pronounce prophylaxis (audio)
 also  ˌprä-
plural prophylaxes ˌprō-fə-ˈlak-ˌsēz How to pronounce prophylaxis (audio)
 also  ˌprä-
: measures designed to preserve health (as of an individual or of society) and prevent the spread of disease

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In Greek, phylax means "guard", so prophylactic measures guard against disease by taking action ahead of time. Thus, for example, before the polio vaccine became available, prophylaxis against polio included avoiding crowds and public swimming pools. These days a well-known kind of prophylactic is used to prevent sexually transmitted diseases; but prophylactic measures only work when people use them.

Examples of prophylaxis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Post-exposure prophylaxis for rabies in those who have not been vaccinated includes wound-washing, a dose of human rabies immune globulin -- a medication containing antibodies against the rabies virus -- and a four-dose rabies vaccine. Sony Salzman, ABC News, 27 Mar. 2025 Landmark studies in South Africa have, for example, shown that anti-HIV drugs taken by breastfeeding mothers reduce the risk of transmission to their babies and demonstrated the power of long-acting pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV that was Science’s Breakthrough of the Year in 2024. Byjon Cohen, science.org, 22 Mar. 2025 Preventative medicines such as pre-exposure prophylaxis, widely known as PrEP, and further education empower Black women to thrive with a better quality of life. Maisha Standifer, Essence, 16 May 2025 But there was one important reason why the city council of San Pedro might have been receptive to the idea of a prophylaxis fair. Laura Gómez, Scientific American, 26 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for prophylaxis

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, from Greek prophylak-, stem of prophylássein "to keep guard before a place, be on guard, (middle voice) to be on one's guard against, take precautions against" (from pro- pro- entry 1 + phylássein "to keep watch on, guard, preserve," derivative of phylak-, phýlax "guard, guardian, protector") + -sis -sis — more at phylactery

First Known Use

1683, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of prophylaxis was in 1683

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Cite this Entry

“Prophylaxis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prophylaxis. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

Medical Definition

prophylaxis

noun
pro·​phy·​lax·​is -ˈlak-səs How to pronounce prophylaxis (audio)
plural prophylaxes -ˈlak-ˌsēz How to pronounce prophylaxis (audio)
: measures designed to preserve health and prevent the spread of disease : protective or preventive treatment
prophylaxis against viral diseases
a paste containing fluorine for dental prophylaxis

More from Merriam-Webster on prophylaxis

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