PREVENTATIVE

Pronunciation (US):

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does preventative mean? 

• PREVENTATIVE (noun)
  The noun PREVENTATIVE has 3 senses:

1. remedy that prevents or slows the course of an illness or disease

2. any obstruction that impedes or is burdensome

3. an agent or device intended to prevent conception

  Familiarity information: PREVENTATIVE used as a noun is uncommon.

• PREVENTATIVE (adjective)
  The adjective PREVENTATIVE has 2 senses:

1. tending to prevent or hinder

2. preventing or contributing to the prevention of disease

  Familiarity information: PREVENTATIVE used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PREVENTATIVE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Remedy that prevents or slows the course of an illness or disease

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

preventative; preventive; prophylactic

Context example:

the doctor recommended several preventatives

Hypernyms ("preventative" is a kind of...):

curative; cure; remedy; therapeutic (a medicine or therapy that cures disease or relieve pain)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Any obstruction that impedes or is burdensome

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

encumbrance; hinderance; hindrance; hitch; incumbrance; interference; preventative; preventive

Hypernyms ("preventative" is a kind of...):

impediment; impedimenta; obstructer; obstruction; obstructor (any structure that makes progress difficult)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "preventative"):

clog (any object that acts as a hindrance or obstruction)

speed bump (a hindrance to speeding created by a crosswise ridge in the surface of a roadway)

Sense 3

Meaning:

An agent or device intended to prevent conception

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

birth control device; contraceptive; contraceptive device; preventative; preventive; prophylactic device

Hypernyms ("preventative" is a kind of...):

device (an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "preventative"):

cervical 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; rubber; safe; safety (contraceptive device consisting of a sheath of thin rubber or latex that is worn over the penis during intercourse)

contraceptive diaphragm; diaphragm; pessary (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)

• PREVENTATIVE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Tending to prevent or hinder

Synonyms:

preventative; preventive

Similar:

blockading (blocking entrance to and exit from seaports and harbors)

clogging; hindering; impeding; obstructive (preventing movement)

deterrent (tending to deter)

frustrating; frustrative; thwarting (preventing realization or attainment of a desire)

precautional; precautionary (taken in advance to protect against possible danger or failure)

obviating; preclusive (made impossible)

pre-emptive; preemptive (designed or having the power to deter or prevent an anticipated situation or occurrence)

prohibitive; prohibitory (tending to discourage (especially of prices))

Also:

protective (intended or adapted to afford protection of some kind)

Derivation:

prevent (stop (someone or something) from doing something or being in a certain state)

prevent (keep from happening or arising; make impossible)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Preventing or contributing to the prevention of disease

Synonyms:

preventative; preventive; prophylactic

Context example:

a prophylactic drug

Similar:

healthful (conducive to good health of body or mind)

 Context examples 

Device problems that result from improper routine or preventative maintenance.

(Device Maintenance Deficiency Evaluation Conclusion, Food and Drug Administration)

NIH Emphasis Area — The term "prevention" refers to prophylactic and preventative efforts to achieve a significant reduction in cancer incidence, cancer mortality, and cancer morbidity.

(Cancer Prevention, Primary, NCI Thesaurus)

Fresh or aged, garlic extracts contain compounds such as diallyl and allyl propyl disulfides with potent antioxidant, cholesterol-lowering properties; regular ingestion may be preventative for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.

(Garlic Extract, NCI Thesaurus)

A system of therapy based on preventative care, and on the use of heat, water, light, air, and massage as primary therapies for disease.

(Naturopathy Therapy, NCI Thesaurus)

This will pave the way for preventative interventions and genetic counselling.

(Gene Causes Sudden Death in Young People, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

A new antimalarial candidate could pave the way for a single-dose treatment that boosts malaria eradication when used in combination with other preventative measures.

(Antimalarial candidate holds promise as a single dose, SciDev.Net)

These findings suggest that DP is a promising long-term preventative treatment for malaria in infants.

(Drug Prevents Malaria in High-Risk Region, NIH)

We are taking preventative action and keeping a vaccination belt in cities closer to the boundary with Minas Gerais state, and we also offer immunization ten days in advance to those traveling there.

(Aedes mosquitoes almost impossible to eradicate, says Brazilian researcher, Agência Brasil)

N.D. has a qualification of primary care physicians with a specialized focus in preventative medicine, natural therapeutics, and emphasis on holistic and nontoxic approaches to therapy and optimizing wellness.

(Naturopathic Doctor, NCI Thesaurus)

An aqueous solution composed of glucose and electrolytes, including sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, and phosphorus, with dehydration preventative and rehydration activities.

(Oral Rehydration Solution OS-1, NCI Thesaurus)