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 a growing body of evidence points to manufactured housing as a major risk factor across the country. — Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 7 Sep. 2026

This matters because consistently consuming too much sodium can raise blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026

Perhaps the most intriguing risk factor for psychopathology gleaned from clinical psychological science, and one that is particularly relevant to the assessment and treatment of postpartum psychopathology, is malignant self-criticism. — Torie Bosch, STAT, 5 Sep. 2026

Being diagnosed with a bipolar disorder is the single strongest risk factor for PPP, along with having a previous psychiatric episode. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 28 Aug. 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