pre·ven·tive
pri-ˈven-tiv 
: devoted to or concerned with prevention : precautionary
preventive steps against soil erosion
: such as
a
: designed or serving to prevent the occurrence of disease
preventive medical care
b
: undertaken to forestall anticipated hostile action
a preventive coup
preventively
adverb
preventiveness
noun
Examples of preventive in a Sentence
Adjective
Farmers are covering their crops as a preventive measure against frost.
We'll take whatever preventive action is necessary.
Noun
if people took the simple preventive of frequently washing their hands, the spread of germs could be greatly reduced
Recent Examples on the Web
Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025
In filings with the Supreme Court, outside medical organizations have warned that a decision invalidating the structure of the task force would have significant ramifications for access to preventive care.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2025
Franz Lidz, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2023
But although human vaccines function primarily as preventives, offering immunity to animals such as black-footed ferrets can be a conservation strategy of last resort.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 15 June 2023
See All Example Sentences for preventive
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Adjective
Supreme Court Justice appeared to side with her liberal colleagues while hearing arguments in a case that will determine the future of no-cost preventive care under the Affordable Care Act.
—Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025
In filings with the Supreme Court, outside medical organizations have warned that a decision invalidating the structure of the task force would have significant ramifications for access to preventive care.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
Padlocks, sickles and other objects made of iron, a metal said to possess anti-demonic powers, were stashed in the grave as preventives.
—Franz Lidz, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2023
But although human vaccines function primarily as preventives, offering immunity to animals such as black-footed ferrets can be a conservation strategy of last resort.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 15 June 2023
See All Example Sentences for preventive
Cite this Entry
“Preventive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preventive. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
preventive
1 of 2 noun
pre·ven·tive
pri-ˈvent-iv
: something that prevents
especially
: something used to prevent disease
preventive
2 of 2 adjective
: concerned with or used for prevention
preventive measures
preventive medicine
Medical Definition
preventive
2 of 2 adjective
: devoted to or concerned with the prevention of disease
preventive drug therapy
preventive psychiatry
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