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

Atherosclerosis — a condition where fats and cholesterol build up on the artery walls — is also a risk factor. — Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 13 July 2026

Eli Lilly launched a website asserting that obesity is not merely a risk factor for medical complications but a chronic and complex medical entity in its own right. — Max Moser, STAT, 9 July 2026

For example, there may be moms who are experiencing loss, which is a risk factor for suicide, because their children are going through their own challenges or leaving home. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 6 July 2026

Yet fewer than half of Americans recognize alcohol as a risk factor for cancer, particularly for cancers such as breast cancer that are not commonly associated with alcohol use. — Emma Fenske, The Conversation, 2 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1907, 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