Preventative
/prɪˈventətɪv/
Definitions
Serving to prevent or designed to prevent something undesirable from happening.
/prɪˈventətɪv/
Intended to stop something bad from happening.
Regular exercise is a preventative measure against heart disease.
💡 Simply: It's like taking steps *before* something bad occurs to make sure it doesn't happen. Like, brushing your teeth is a preventative action to stop cavities.
👶 For kids: Doing things to stop something bad from happening. Like wearing a helmet to keep you safe.
More Examples
The doctor recommended a preventative treatment to avoid the spread of infection.
Implementing preventative measures early on can save money and time in the long run.
How It's Used
"Preventative measures are crucial for maintaining good health."
"The company implemented preventative safety protocols to minimize workplace accidents."
"Preventative care services, such as vaccinations, may be covered by your insurance plan."
Idioms & expressions
Preventative maintenance
Regular maintenance to prevent equipment failure.
"Preventative maintenance on the machines is scheduled quarterly."
Preventative medicine
Medical care that focuses on preventing disease.
"Preventative medicine emphasizes regular checkups and vaccinations."
From the Latin *praevenire* meaning 'to come before, to anticipate'. The word developed with a focus on taking measures to stop something undesirable from happening.
The term 'preventative' has been used since the late 17th century, evolving from a focus on legal prevention to broader applications.
Memory tip
Think of pre-event actions to prevent problems. For example, preventative maintenance prevents breakdowns.
Word Origin
"to come before, to anticipate"