pre·ven·ta·tive
pri-ˈven-tə-tiv 
: devoted to or concerned with preventing something from happening : preventive entry 1
The best preventative medicine that you can give to your plants is to mulch them.—
Ann Whynman
Ann WhynmanLos Angeles County promised to revamp its system, gradually reducing the use of expensive inpatient hospitals through more preventative care at outpatient clinics.—Jonathan Cohn
Jonathan Cohn
plural preventatives
: something that serves to prevent something from occurring : preventive entry 2
We've got the live vaccinia virus vaccine as a preventative for smallpox …—D. A. Henderson et al.
D. A. Henderson et al.Green onions are a mosquito preventative.—Garrison Keillor
Garrison KeillorExamples of preventative in a Sentence
Adjective
the department in charge of taking preventative measures against international terrorism
Recent Examples on the Web
Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, Flow Space, 27 Oct. 2025
If boxelder bug infestations persist, consult a pest control professional for help with preventative or removal measures.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2025
Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
The surgery is done as a preventative to keep the aneurysm from rupturing.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preventative
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
Research shows a preventative effect on ovarian cancer when people undergo at least two hours of moderate exercise (like brisk walking) per week and less than three hours of sitting per day.
—Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, Flow Space, 27 Oct. 2025
If boxelder bug infestations persist, consult a pest control professional for help with preventative or removal measures.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
Consider using flea and tick preventatives and examine your dog after your hike.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
The surgery is done as a preventative to keep the aneurysm from rupturing.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preventative
Cite this Entry
“Preventative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preventative. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
preventative
adjective or noun
pre·ven·ta·tive
pri-ˈvent-ət-iv
Medical Definition
preventative
adjective or noun
pre·ven·ta·tive
pri-ˈvent-ət-iv
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share