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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
High blood pressure, defined as 130/80 mmHg or above by the American College of Cardiology and other major heart health authorities, remains the leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2026 Due in large part to the opioid epidemic, injection drug use is now the primary risk factor for new hepatitis C infections in the United States. — Philip A. Chan, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026 Teplinsky understands this can be a trickier risk factor to avoid completely. — Norah O'Donnell, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for risk factor

Word History

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of risk factor was in 1907

Rhymes for risk factor

See All Rhymes for risk factor

Browse Nearby Words

risker
risk factor
riskful
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Risk factor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/risk%20factor. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

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

More from Merriam-Webster on risk factor

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about risk factor

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of deportment

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All