a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
"drinking alcohol is a health hazard"
an obstacle on a golf course
"The golfer carefully navigated around the large tree hazard before lining up his next shot."
The chance of suffering harm; danger, peril, risk of loss.
"The storm created a significant hazard by raising the likelihood of flooding and structural damage to the coastal homes."
In plain English: A hazard is something that could cause you to get hurt or damaged if it isn't handled carefully.
"The driver braked suddenly after seeing a large rock blocking the road, which was an unexpected hazard for all vehicles passing by that morning."
Usage: Use the noun hazard when referring to an actual source of danger or potential injury in your environment, rather than just abstract probability. As a verb, it specifically means to deliberately place someone or something at risk by exposing them to such dangers.
take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome
"When you buy these stocks you are gambling"
To expose to chance; to take a risk.
"The reckless driver knowingly exposed himself and his passengers to hazard by speeding through a foggy intersection."
In plain English: To hazard something means to risk it by saying or doing it without being sure of the result.
"The wet floor caused us to hazard our footing and almost slip."
A surname.
"The Hazards family has lived in that valley for three generations."
The word hazard comes from the Old French term for a game involving dice, which itself was borrowed from an Arabic phrase meaning "the dice." It entered English with this specific gambling context before its meaning broadened to refer generally to danger or risk.