Origin: Latin suffix -ive
Preventative has 7 different meanings across 2 categories:
remedy that prevents or slows the course of an illness or disease
"the doctor recommended several preventatives"
any obstruction that impedes or is burdensome
"The old fence had become a preventative to our expansion plans, blocking access and slowing down every construction effort we tried to make."
an agent or device intended to prevent conception
"The clinic recommended a long-acting preventative implant for anyone concerned about pregnancy while traveling abroad."
Alternative form of preventive
"The doctor recommended a preventative flu shot to keep me from getting sick this winter."
tending to prevent or hinder
"The new security measures are purely preventative, designed specifically to stop hackers from ever accessing our network in the first place."
preventing or contributing to the prevention of disease
"preventive medicine"
"vaccines are prophylactic"
"a prophylactic drug"
Alternative form of preventive
"The doctor recommended a few preventative measures to stop the flu from spreading during winter."