Meaning & Definition of word "Preventive"

Preventive

/prɪˈvɛn.tɪv/

adjective:

  • 1. tending to prevent something, especially to prevent disease or problems.
    • Example: The doctor recommended a preventive measure to reduce the risk of heart disease.
  • 2. aimed at stopping something from happening.
    • Example: Preventive maintenance on the machinery can save the company from costly repairs later.
  • 3. designed to stop or hinder a situation from worsening.
    • Example: The preventive approach taken by the government helped control the outbreak of the virus.

Etymology

From Latin 'praeventivus', from 'praevenire' meaning 'to come before'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

preventive medicine:

Healthcare that focuses on disease prevention.

preventive action:

Steps taken to prevent an undesirable outcome.

preventive maintenance:

Regular maintenance to prevent equipment failures.

Related Words

protection:

The act of keeping something safe from harm.

caution:

Care taken to avoid danger or mistakes.

intervention:

The act of intervening to prevent an event.

Slang Meanings of preventive

Meaning: Prevention-focused approach

Example Sentence: Let's take a preventive strategy to avoid that issue again.