pre·ven·ta·tive
pri-ˈven-tə-tiv 
: devoted to or concerned with preventing something from happening : preventive entry 1
The best preventative medicine that you can give to your plants is to mulch them.—
Ann Whynman
Ann WhynmanLos Angeles County promised to revamp its system, gradually reducing the use of expensive inpatient hospitals through more preventative care at outpatient clinics.—Jonathan Cohn
Jonathan Cohn
plural preventatives
: something that serves to prevent something from occurring : preventive entry 2
We've got the live vaccinia virus vaccine as a preventative for smallpox …—D. A. Henderson et al.
D. A. Henderson et al.Green onions are a mosquito preventative.—Garrison Keillor
Garrison KeillorExamples of preventative in a Sentence
Adjective
the department in charge of taking preventative measures against international terrorism
Recent Examples on the Web
Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2025
The hotel’s focus on wellness will be boosted next year by a life longevity, preventative medical/wellness experience center in an adjoining building.
—Michael Goldstein, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
Karlo Tanjuakio, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
Tick preventatives and quick removal of ticks is the best way to avoid problems.
—Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 14 Apr. 2024
See All Example Sentences for preventative
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Adjective
Some called on the district to implement preventative policies such as putting cameras in classrooms and investing in child abuse training for staff.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2025
The hotel’s focus on wellness will be boosted next year by a life longevity, preventative medical/wellness experience center in an adjoining building.
—Michael Goldstein, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
Noun
By incorporating this approach, healthcare can shift from reactive to preventative.
—Karlo Tanjuakio, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
Tick preventatives and quick removal of ticks is the best way to avoid problems.
—Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 14 Apr. 2024
See All Example Sentences for preventative
Cite this Entry
“Preventative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preventative. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
preventative
adjective or noun
pre·ven·ta·tive
pri-ˈvent-ət-iv
Medical Definition
preventative
adjective or noun
pre·ven·ta·tive
pri-ˈvent-ət-iv
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