risk factor

noun

Definition of risk factor

: 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 contradicts previous research from 2016, which found that removing pubic hair was a risk factor for STIs. — Samantha Lauriello, Health.com, "Removing Pubic Hair Doesn’t Raise STI Risk, Study Finds," 5 Sep. 2019 Organ donor age is a risk factor for transplant failure, but research shows that kidneys from donors in their 50s or 60s may extend the lives of transplant candidates, particularly older recipients, according to the report. — chicagotribune.com, "Thousands of kidneys are thrown away by U.S. transplant centers every year," 28 Aug. 2019 There’s evidence that chronic loneliness can turn on genes involved with inflammation, which can be a risk factor for heart disease and cancer. — Brian Resnick, Vox, "22 percent of millennials say they have “no friends”," 1 Aug. 2019 WeWork What’s happening: In an IPO filing ahead of its planned listing next month, WeWork listed the possibility of employees striking as a potential risk factor. — Michelle Cheng, Quartz at Work, "Union pushes at places like YouTube and WeWork could transform white-collar work," 1 Sep. 2019 Among Peloton's biggest risk factors for continued growth? — Tatiana Cirisano, Billboard, "Peloton Wants to 'Sell Happiness' With IPO, But Faces Serious Music Licensing Risks," 28 Aug. 2019 True Health testing covers more than 300 biomarkers, from thyroid hormones to diabetes risk factors. — Orla Mccaffrey, Dallas News, "Frisco diagnostic firm lays off workers, files for bankruptcy after feds yank payments," 31 July 2019 The trial involved patients 50 or older with at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease. — John Fauber, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "FDA didn't act as forcefully as European regulators on safety concerns over Pfizer drug," 3 July 2019 Also of note, GE specifically called out an economic slowdown in China among the risk factors for its business, a change from the previous year. — Washington Post, "GE Nuggets to Chew on From Its Annual Report," 3 Mar. 2019

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