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

Vision has more recently been identified as a possible risk factor. — Kathleen Felton, Time, 21 July 2026

Heart disease is the nation’s leading cause of death, and high LDL cholesterol, which causes plaque to build up in arteries, is a top risk factor for heart attacks and strokes. — Matthew Perrone, Fortune, 16 July 2026

The agency cleared Lipfendra to treat high cholesterol, which is a major risk factor for heart attacks and strokes. — Ed Silverman, STAT, 16 July 2026

Livingston also stressed that longer exposure to a risk factor produces a greater effect, and that risks hit harder in already vulnerable populations. — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 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