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

Climate change itself has become a major risk factor, with heatwaves disabling power plants and droughts drying up hydro reservoirs. —Scott Montgomery, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026

Many earlier studies focused on a single risk factor such as smoking or blood pressure, but the new research used the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8, which outlines ways to improve and maintain heart health. —Lily Hautau, CNN Money, 29 Jan. 2026

Weight status is another risk factor for low vitamin D levels. —Sarah Garone, Health, 28 Jan. 2026

Initiatives include things like reducing sodium in the food supply (given excess salt in food is a driver of hypertension), and expanding health care initiatives focused on diabetes prevention, obesity treatment, and financial incentives to achieve cardiovascular risk factor reduction. —Allison Aubrey, NPR, 22 Jan. 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