preventive

//prɪˈvɛntɪv//
B2Frequency Level 10Formal
Visual representation of preventive

Adjective

preventiveCanonical form
1

Designed to stop something undesirable, such as illness or harm, from happening.

Regular exercise is an effective preventive measure against heart disease.

2

Acting in advance to deal with an expected difficulty or danger.

The government took preventive measures to avoid a financial crisis.

Noun

preventiveSingular
preventivesPlural
1

A medicine or treatment designed to prevent disease.

The doctor recommended a preventive to reduce the risk of infection.

2

A measure taken to prevent something undesirable from occurring.

Regular exercise is an effective preventive against heart disease.

Synonym