risk factor

noun

: something that increases risk or susceptibility

Examples of risk factor in a Sentence

Age is one of the risk factors for this disease.

Recent Examples on the Web

This makes hearing loss the largest modifiable risk factor for dementia, surpassing smoking, hypertension, or physical inactivity. —Joseph Coughlin, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025

Taking mind-altering drugs as a teen or young adult is another risk factor, and researchers have increasingly been finding associations between cannabis use and schizophrenia. —Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025

So identifying a new, measurable risk factor could be game-changing and life-saving. —New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2025

Hypertension is the most prevalent and modifiable risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, stroke, chronic kidney disease, and all-cause mortality, Jones explained. —Sherri Gordon, Health, 29 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for risk factor

• attractor
• cofactor
• compactor
• contactor
• contractor
• distractor
• extractor
• impactor
• protractor
• reactor
• redactor
• refractor

Kids Definition

risk factor

noun

: something that increases the possibility that something bad will happen

cigarette smoking is a risk factor for lung cancer

Medical Definition

risk factor

noun

: something that increases risk or susceptibility

poorly controlled hypertension is a risk factor for coronary heart disease