Definition of Preventative

Adjective: preventative pri'ven-tu-tiv

Tending to prevent or hinder
- preventive
Preventing or contributing to the prevention of disease
"preventative medicine";
- preventive, prophylactic

Noun: preventative pri'ven-tu-tiv

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