What is the meaning of preventative?

Remedy that prevents or slows the course of an illness or disease.
- usage: "the doctor recommended several preventatives"
- synonyms: preventive, prophylactic
Any obstruction that impedes or is burdensome.
- synonyms: hindrance, hinderance, hitch, preventive, encumbrance, incumbrance, interference
An agent or device intended to prevent conception.
- synonyms: contraceptive, preventive, contraceptive device, prophylactic device, birth control device

Tending to prevent or hinder.
- synonyms: preventive
Preventing or contributing to the prevention of disease.
- usage: "preventive medicine"; "vaccines are prophylactic"; "a prophylactic drug"
- synonyms: preventive, prophylactic

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APA	WordNet. (2010). preventative. Retrieved September 22, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/preventative/definitions/1181334
Chicago	WordNet. 2010. "preventative" http://smartdefine.org/preventative/definitions/1181334 (accessed September 22, 2026).
Harvard	WordNet 2010, preventative, Smart Define, viewed 22 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/preventative/definitions/1181334>.
MLA	WordNet. "preventative" 23 October 2010. Web. 22 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/preventative/definitions/1181334>

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