prophylactic

1 of 2

adjective

pro·​phy·​lac·​tic ˌprō-fə-ˈlak-tik 

also

ˌprä- 

1

: guarding from or preventing the spread or occurrence of disease or infection

2

: tending to prevent or ward off : preventive

prophylactically

ˌprō-fə-ˈlak-ti-k(ə-)lē 

 also  ˌprä-

adverb

prophylactic

2 of 2

noun

: something prophylactic

especially : a device and especially a condom for preventing venereal infection or conception

Synonyms

Adjective

• precautionary
• preventative
• preventive

Examples of prophylactic in a Sentence

Adjective

the prophylactic use of antibiotics

the many prophylactic measures that city officials could have taken to reduce the scope of the disaster

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

As a result, members of the latter group might consider a prophylactic mastectomy, whereas for others, the benefits of surgery are unlikely to outweigh the drawbacks. —Amanda Montañez, Scientific American, 27 Sep. 2024

In Maria, the 49-year-old actress returns to portray opera icon Maria Callas, which marks Jolie’s first major film appearance following her decision to undergo a bilateral prophylactic mastectomy and breast reconstruction in 2013 due to her BRCA1 gene mutation and elevated risk of breast cancer. —Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 5 Sep. 2024

Noun

May your heat protectants be as effective as your prophylactics — that is, around 98% when used perfectly. —Rachel Krause, refinery29.com, 9 Apr. 2024

By a similar token, particular scents were understood to be curative or prophylactic. —Scott Sayare Robert Petkoff Anna Diamond Quinton Kamara, New York Times, 14 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Medieval Latin prophylacticus, borrowed from Greek prophylaktikós, from prophylakt-, stem in nominal derivation of prophylássein "to keep guard before a place, be on guard, (middle voice) to be on one's guard against, take precautions against" + -ikos -ic entry 1 — more at prophylaxis

Noun

borrowed from Late Latin prophylacticon "protective measure against disease," borrowed from Late Greek prophylaktikón, noun derivative from neuter of Greek prophylaktikós prophylactic entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1574, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

circa 1641, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

prophylactic

1 of 2 adjective

pro·​phy·​lac·​tic ˌprō-fə-ˈlak-tik 

1

: guarding from or preventing the spread or occurrence of disease or infection

2

: tending to prevent or ward off

prophylactic

2 of 2 noun

: something prophylactic

especially : a device and especially a condom for preventing infection or pregnancy

Medical Definition

prophylactic

1 of 2 adjective

pro·​phy·​lac·​tic

ˌprō-fə-ˈlak-tik also ˌpräf-ə-

1

: guarding from or preventing the spread or occurrence of disease or infection

prophylactic therapy

2

: tending to prevent or ward off : preventive

prophylactically

-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

prophylactic

2 of 2 noun

: something (as a medicinal preparation) that is prophylactic

especially : a device and especially a condom for preventing venereal infection or conception

Legal Definition

prophylactic

adjective

pro·​phy·​lac·​tic ˌprō-fə-ˈlak-tik, ˌprä- 

: designed or tending to prevent harm or wrong

a prophylactic rule against profiting from inside information