preventive Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun remedy that prevents or slows the course of an illness or disease
    preventative; prophylactic.
    • the doctor recommended several preventatives
  2. noun any obstruction that impedes or is burdensome
    incumbrance; preventative; encumbrance; interference; hitch; hindrance; hinderance.
  3. noun an agent or device intended to prevent conception
    prophylactic device; contraceptive; birth control device; contraceptive device; preventative.
  4. adjective satellite preventing or contributing to the prevention of disease
    preventative; prophylactic.
    • preventive medicine
    • vaccines are prophylactic
    • a prophylactic drug
  5. adjective tending to prevent or hinder
    preventative.

WordNet

Pre*vent"ive adjective
Etymology
Cf. F. préventif.
Definitions
  1. Going before; preceding. Obs.
    Any previous counsel or preventive understanding. Cudworth.
  2. Tending to defeat or hinder; obviating; preventing the access of; as, a medicine preventive of disease.
    Physic is either curative or preventive. Sir T. Browne.
Pre*vent"ive noun
Definitions
  1. That which prevents, hinders, or obstructs; that which intercepts access; in medicine, something to prevent disease; a prophylactic.

Webster 1913