risk

noun

\ˈrisk

Definition of risk

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : possibility of loss or injury : peril

2 : someone or something that creates or suggests a hazard

3a : the chance of loss or the perils to the subject matter of an insurance contract also : the degree of probability of such loss

b : a person or thing that is a specified hazard to an insurer

c : an insurance hazard from a specified cause or source war risk

4 : the chance that an investment (such as a stock or commodity) will lose value

at risk

: in a state or condition marked by a high level of risk or susceptibility patients at risk of infection

risk

verb

risked; risking; risks

Definition of risk (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to expose to hazard or danger risked her life

2 : to incur the risk or danger of risked breaking his neck

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Examples of risk in a Sentence

Noun

I prefer not to expose my money to too much risk. The degree of risk is minimal. All investments have an element of risk. The trip didn't seem like much of a risk. I'm aware of the risks associated with this treatment. There is a risk of liver damage with this medication. Wearing a seatbelt greatly reduces the risk of injury or death in a car accident. We feel that this product presents a significant risk to public health. To me, skydiving is not worth the risk. Smoking is a risk to your lungs.

Verb

She risked her life to save her children. He risked all his money on starting his own business. He risked breaking his neck. She's risking being considered too sentimental. The country risked a war. brave people who risked being killed to help others I'm not willing to risk getting lost. I'm going to buy a map. The company is risking the loss of millions of dollars. It's not wise to risk traveling so soon after surgery.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Chudoba’s attorney, Francis Teodosio of Shelton, argues that the city was negligent for not putting up safety netting to protect spectators whose seats are close enough to be at risk. — Don Stacom, Courant Community, "Spectator Sues Bristol Blues Over Injury From Broken Bat," 14 July 2018 Theresa May has invited President Trump to our country at a time when his dangerous and inhumane policies are putting the lives and wellbeing of millions of people at risk. — Margaret Hartmann, Daily Intelligencer, "Admitting He Feels ‘Unwelcome,’ Trump Finds New Ways to Offend the British," 13 July 2018 The Wall Street Journal reports that a Deloitte survey of more than 1,000 U.S. workers found that one in three male respondents reported feeling worried that taking leave to care for a newborn would put their career at risk. — Claire Zillman, Fortune, "Oprah Winfrey Empire, Angela Merkel, Paternity Leave: Broadsheet July 12th," 12 July 2018 After all, as the Inquirer’s Toxic City series has documented, the district has previously botched repair jobs, wasted money, and put thousands of the city’s vulnerable students at risk. — Aubrey Nagle, Philly.com, "Pickleball takes over the Jersey Shore, Pa. Supreme Court donations in question | Morning Newsletter," 12 July 2018 That level of overtime means officers are regularly working 15- or 16-hour days, which officials say puts both them and the public at risk. — Ian Duncan, baltimoresun.com, "Baltimore Police assign 115 extra officers to patrol the streets in hopes of curbing overtime spending, crime," 11 July 2018 Now new research shows most African-Americans will develop high blood pressure in middle age, putting them at greater risk of heart disease and other serious health problems. — CBS News, "Most African-Americans develop high blood pressure by age 55, study finds," 11 July 2018 The administration needs to change tactics now or risk jeopardising the midterms... — Tory Newmyer, Washington Post, "The Finance 202: Mnuchin is in denial about the pain Trump's tariffs are inducing," 13 July 2018 Celmatix will mine this dataset for connections that could improve the test’s evaluations of genetic risk, as well as new genetic markers of reproductive health. — Megan Molteni, WIRED, "This Company Wants Your Fertility Data," 13 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The strike came as the United Nations warned the international community of the dangers of what could turn into yet another major bloodbath in Syria, this time along the borders of Jordan and Israel, risking a wider conflict. — Washington Post, BostonGlobe.com, "Airstrike in southern Syria kills families hiding in shelter from offensive," 28 June 2018 In other instances, administrative contractors have set arbitrary levels on the types and numbers of tests that can be performed each day in certain regions — risking the accuracy of a patient’s diagnosis. — Scott Whitaker, STAT, "It’s time to reform the process for determining what Medicare covers," 27 June 2018 On June 11th alone, Poundworld entered administration, risking 335 stores; Fabb Sofas closed, losing nine; and Henri Lloyd, a fashion retailer, came out of administration, but will still sell five shops. — The Economist, "As shoppers go online, high streets reinvent themselves," 14 June 2018 And Disney's hopes to secure the complete rights to Star Wars would also be thwarted by a Comcast deal, risking its efforts to complete its Star Wars collection. — Ashley Wong, USA TODAY, "After AT&T-Warner green light, Comcast is expected to rival Disney for Fox," 13 June 2018 The rest of us better hope that Trump and Kim don’t instead repeat Eisenhower’s acrimonious summit with Khrushchev, once again risking conflict between two nuclear powers. — Andrew Preston, The New Republic, "Will Trump Be Nixon in China?," 11 June 2018 Instead, months of marches, pickets and advocacy — including thousands of phone calls to officials — followed, culminating with protesters risking arrest to stop the tree clearing. — Emily Hopkins, Indianapolis Star, "A lack of trees might hurt Indianapolis’ growth. Here’s why.," 4 June 2018 Trump’s recent tariffs on steel and aluminum imports have targeted allies in Europe, plus Japan, Canada and Mexico, while the U.S. is engaged in an escalating war of words with China, risking a full-blown trade war. — Rosalind Mathieson, Bloomberg.com, "Singapore Says U.S., China Both Risking Status Quo With Actions," 3 June 2018 There are some fine journalists who work there and risk their lives to report on stories around the world. — Jeremy Barr, The Hollywood Reporter, "Trump in U.K.: "I Don't Take Questions From CNN"," 13 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'risk.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near risk

Statistics for risk

Last Updated

22 Oct 2018

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for risk

The first known use of risk was in 1655

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More Definitions for risk

risk

noun

English Language Learners Definition of risk

(Entry 1 of 2)

: the possibility that something bad or unpleasant (such as an injury or a loss) will happen

: someone or something that may cause something bad or unpleasant to happen

: a person or thing that someone judges to be a good or bad choice for insurance, a loan, etc.

risk

verb

English Language Learners Definition of risk (Entry 2 of 2)

: to put (something) in a situation in which it could be lost, damaged, etc.

: to do something that could result in (something bad or unpleasant)

: to do (something that may have harmful or bad results)

See the full definition for risk in the English Language Learners Dictionary

risk

noun

\ˈrisk

Kids Definition of risk

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : possibility of loss or injury This adventure involves risks.

2 : something or someone that may cause loss or injury Smoking is a health risk.

risk

verb

risked; risking

Kids Definition of risk (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : to expose to danger He risked his life to save the children.

2 : to take the risk or danger of I'm not willing to risk hurting myself.

risk

noun

\ˈrisk

Medical Definition of risk

1 : possibility of loss, injury, disease, or death hypertension increases the risk of stroke

2 : a person considered in terms of the possible bad effects of a particular course of treatment a poor surgical risk

at risk

: in a state or condition marked by a high level of risk or susceptibility patients at risk of developing infections

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risk

noun

Legal Definition of risk

1a : possibility of loss or injury

b : liability for loss or injury if it occurs the risk of loss passes to the buyer when the goods are duly delivered to the carrier — Uniform Commercial Code the risk of personal injury and property damage should be placed with the manufacturer rather than the consumer — Case & Comment

2a : the chance of loss to the subject matter of an insurance contract : uncertainty with regard to loss also : the degree of probability of such loss — compare peril