Definition of preventative Preventative

/pɹivɛˈntʌtɪv/ - [preeventutiv] - pre•ven•ta•tive

We found 8 definitions of preventative from 4 different sources.

What does preventative mean?

WordNet

Adjective
preventative - tending to prevent or hinder
		preventive
		permissive granting or inclined or able to grant permission; not strict in discipline; "direct primary legislation is largely permissive rather than prescriptive"; "permissive parents"
		protective (usually followed by `of') solicitously caring or mindful; "protective of his reputation"
		blockading blocking entrance to and exit from seaports and harbors; "the blockading ships prevented delivery of munitions"
		clogging, hindering, impeding, obstructive preventing movement; "the clogging crowds of revelers overflowing into the street"
		deterrent tending to deter; "the deterrent effects of high prices"
		frustrative, thwarting, frustrating discouraging by hindering
		precautional, precautionary taken in advance to protect against possible danger or failure; "gave precautionary advice"; "I would take precautionary steps to keep him away"
		obviating, preclusive made impossible
		pre-emptive, preemptive designed or having the power to deter or prevent an anticipated situation or occurrence; "a preemptive business offer"
preventative - preventing or contributing to the prevention of disease; "preventive medicine"; "vaccines are prophylactic"; "a prophylactic drug"
		preventive, prophylactic
		healthful conducive to good health of body or mind; "a healthful climate"; "a healthful environment"; "healthful nutrition"; "healthful sleep"; "Dickens's relatively healthful exuberance"
Noun
preventative - an agent or device intended to prevent conception
		contraceptive, preventive, contraceptive device, prophylactic device, birth control device
		device any clever maneuver; "he would stoop to any device to win a point"; "it was a great sales gimmick"; "a cheap promotions gimmick for greedy businessmen"
		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 structure consisting of something wound in a continuous series of loops; "a coil of rope"
		condom, prophylactic, safe, rubber, safety contraceptive device consisting of a sheath of thin rubber or latex that is worn over the penis during intercourse
		contraceptive diaphragm, pessary, diaphragm a mechanical device in a camera that controls size of aperture of the lens; "the new cameras adjust the diaphragm automatically"
		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 dose of medicine in the form of a small pellet
preventative - any obstruction that impedes or is burdensome
		hindrance, hinderance, hitch, preventive, encumbrance, incumbrance, interference
		impediment, impedimenta, obstructer, obstructor, obstruction the baggage and equipment carried by an army
		clog any object that acts as a hindrance or obstruction
preventative - remedy that prevents or slows the course of an illness or disease; "the doctor recommended several preventatives"
		preventive, prophylactic
		curative, cure, therapeutic, remedy a medicine or therapy that cures disease or relieve pain