preventative
1. [ noun ] any obstruction that impedes or is burdensome
Synonyms: hitch preventive encumbrance incumbrance interference hindrance
Related terms: obstruction clog speed_bump impede
2. [ noun ] (medicine,pharmacology) remedy that prevents or slows the course of an illness or disease
Synonyms: prophylactic preventive
Examples:

"the doctor recommended several preventatives"

Related terms: remedy
3. [ adjective ] (medicine) preventing or contributing to the prevention of disease
Synonyms: preventive prophylactic
Examples:

"preventive medicine" "vaccines are prophylactic" "a prophylactic drug"

Related terms: healthful
4. [ adjective ] tending to prevent or hinder
Synonyms: preventive
Related terms: permissive blockading clogging frustrating precautionary deterrent preemptive prohibitive preclusive protective
5. [ noun ] (sexuality) an agent or device intended to prevent conception
Synonyms: contraceptive contraceptive_device prophylactic_device birth_control_device preventive
Related terms: device coil pill diaphragm loop intrauterine_device condom morning-after_pill spermicide cervical_cap
Similar spelling:   preventive
  preventable
  prevention
  prevenient
  Proventil
  provenance
  propenoate