I. pre ‧ vent ‧ a ‧ tive /prɪˈventətɪv/ BrE AmE adjective
↑ preventive :
preventative measures
—preventatively adverb
II. pre ‧ vent ‧ ive /prɪˈventɪv/ BrE AmE ( also preventative ) adjective [only before noun]
[ Word Family: adjective : ↑ preventable , PREVENTIVE/PREVENTATIVE ; verb : ↑ prevent ; noun : ↑ prevention ; adverb : PREVENTIVELY/PREVENTATIVELY ]
intended to stop something you do not want to happen, such as illness, from happening:
preventive health programs
preventive action/measure
While travelling abroad, take preventive measures to avoid illness.
—preventively adverb