preventive

American  

[pri-ven-tiv] / prɪˈvɛn tɪv /

Also preventative

adjective

1. Medicine/Medical. of or noting a drug, vaccine, etc., for preventing disease; prophylactic.

2. serving to prevent or hinder.

   preventive measures.

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noun

1. Medicine/Medical. a drug or other substance for preventing disease.

2. a preventive agent or measure.

preventive British  

/ prɪˈvɛntɪv /

adjective

1. tending or intended to prevent or hinder

2. med

   1. tending to prevent disease; prophylactic

   2. of or relating to the branch of medicine concerned with prolonging life and preventing disease

3. (in Britain) of, relating to, or belonging to the customs and excise service or the coastguard

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noun

1. something that serves to prevent or hinder

2. med any drug or agent that tends to prevent or protect against disease

3. another name for contraceptive

Other Word Forms

• nonpreventive adjective
• nonpreventively adverb
• nonpreventiveness noun
• preventively adverb
• preventiveness noun
• unpreventative adjective
• unpreventive adjective
• unpreventively adverb
• unpreventiveness noun

Etymology

Origin of preventive

First recorded in 1630–40; prevent + -ive

Example Sentences

The first is coverage of day-to-day preventive care that includes medications to manage a chronic condition or quick visits to urgent care.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 30, 2026

“Management noted it doesn’t see a near term risk but has engaged respective industry bodies to put in place preventive measures.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

India on Saturday ended the preventive detention of prominent Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk, freeing him six months after he was held over protests in the Himalayan region.

From Barron's • Mar. 14, 2026

"In reality, any potential preventive effect takes over a decade to appear, if it appears at all, while the bleeding risk begins immediately."

From Science Daily • Mar. 4, 2026

“If such preventive measures are not taken,” says Dr. Hueper, “the stage will be set at a progressive rate for the future occurrence of a similar disaster to the human population.”

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson