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

And that is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the No. 1 cause of death in the United States. —Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 12 June 2025

This uncertainty renders Meta’s ongoing, aggressive investments in AI a potential risk factor. —Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025

Most tanning beds primarily emit UVA rays, with a smaller proportion being UVB, which is a risk factor for all types of skin cancer. —Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 June 2025

Inspected with no major risk factor violations 208 Snacks, 5131 S. Staten Ave., Boise Albertsons #3337 – Bakery, 700 E. Avalon St., Kuna Albertsons #3337 – Deli, 700 E. Avalon St., Kuna Albertsons #3337 – Grocery, 700 E. Avalon St., Kuna Blue Sky Bagels, 12375 W. Chinden Blvd. —Ashley Fredde, Idaho Statesman, 3 June 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