risk factor

noun

: something that increases risk or susceptibility

Examples of risk factor in a Sentence

Age is one of the risk factors for this disease.

Recent Examples on the Web

The other risk factor in a situation like this, according to Ganyard, is coming back from a that fast dive and while also fighting gravity. — Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 1 Oct. 2026

Extra body weight is a risk factor for high blood sugar and fat buildup in the liver, which can impair function and cause inflammation. — Stephanie Anderson Witmer, HEALTH, 28 Sep. 2026

What Formula 1 discovered is that expertise and confidence without structural accountability is a risk factor. — Jessica Vitiritti, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026

The American Association for Cancer Research's 2026 Cancer Progress Report, released earlier this month, noted that obesity is a major risk factor for many cancers. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for risk factor

• attractor
• cofactor
• compactor
• contactor
• contractor
• distractor
• extractor
• impactor
• protractor
• reactor
• redactor
• refractor

Kids Definition

risk factor

noun

: something that increases the possibility that something bad will happen

cigarette smoking is a risk factor for lung cancer

Medical Definition

risk factor

noun

: something that increases risk or susceptibility

poorly controlled hypertension is a risk factor for coronary heart disease