pre·ven·tive
(prĭ-vĕn′tĭv) also pre·ven·ta·tive (-tə-tĭv)adj.
1. Intended or used to prevent or hinder; acting as an obstacle: preventive measures.
2. Carried out to deter expected aggression by hostile forces.
3. Preventing or slowing the course of an illness or disease; prophylactic: preventive medicine; preventive health care.
n.
1. Something that prevents; an obstacle.
2. Something that prevents or slows the course of an illness or disease.
pre·ven′tive·ly adv.
pre·ven′tive·ness n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
preventative
(prɪˈvɛntətɪv)adj
another form of preventive
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
| Noun | 1. |  preventative - remedy that prevents or slows the course of an illness or disease; "the doctor recommended several preventatives" |
| 2. | preventative - any obstruction that impedes or is burdensome clog - any object that acts as a hindrance or obstruction impedimenta, obstruction, obstructor, obstructer, impediment - any structure that makes progress difficult speed bump - a hindrance to speeding created by a crosswise ridge in the surface of a roadway | |
| 3. |  preventative - an agent or device intended to prevent conceptioncervical cap - a contraceptive device consisting of a small thimble-shaped cup that is placed over the uterine cervix to prevent the entrance of spermatozoa coil - a contraceptive device placed inside a woman's womb condom, prophylactic, safe, rubber, safety - contraceptive device consisting of a sheath of thin rubber or latex that is worn over the penis during intercourse device - an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose; "the device is small enough to wear on your wrist"; "a device intended to conserve water" contraceptive diaphragm, pessary, diaphragm - a contraceptive device consisting of a flexible dome-shaped cup made of rubber or plastic; it is filled with spermicide and fitted over the uterine cervix intrauterine device, IUD - contraceptive device consisting of a piece of bent plastic or metal that is inserted through the vagina into the uterus morning-after pill - a large dose of estrogen taken orally within 24 to 72 hours after intercourse; prevents implantation of a fertilized ovum and so acts as a contraceptive; commonly used after rape or incest anovulant, anovulatory drug, birth control pill, contraceptive pill, oral contraceptive, oral contraceptive pill, pill - a contraceptive in the form of a pill containing estrogen and progestin to inhibit ovulation and so prevent conception spermatocide, spermicide - a contraceptive agent that kills spermatozoa | |
| Adj. | 1. | preventative - tending to prevent or hinder protective - intended or adapted to afford protection of some kind; "a protective covering"; "the use of protective masks and equipment"; "protective coatings"; "kept the drunken sailor in protective custody"; "animals with protective coloring"; "protective tariffs" |
| 2. | preventative - preventing or contributing to the prevention of disease; "preventive medicine"; "vaccines are prophylactic"; "a prophylactic drug" healthful - conducive to good health of body or mind; "a healthful climate"; "a healthful environment"; "healthful nutrition"; "healthful sleep"; "Dickens's relatively healthful exuberance" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
preventative
adjective1. Intended to prevent:
2. Defending against disease:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
preventative
[prɪˈvɛntətɪv] adj → préventif/iveCollins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005