preventer

American  

[pri-ven-ter] / prɪˈvɛn tər /

noun

• preventers
  plural

1. a person or thing that prevents.

2. Nautical.

   1. any of various lines set up to reinforce or relieve ordinary running or standing rigging.

   2. a line for preventing a sail from jibbing.

---

preventer British  

/ prɪˈvɛntə /

noun

1. a person or thing that prevents

2. nautical a rope or other piece of gear rigged to prevent a sail from gybing

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• preventers
  plural

Etymology

Origin of preventer

First recorded in 1580–90; prevent + -er ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

preventer preventers

A diligent plumber will also calculate the pressure loss from the height of the bathroom above the water meter, the pressure loss through the water meter, a backflow preventer and any other pressure regulators.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 11, 2024

She and Sebastian still have "preventer" medication to reduce the risk of an attack and "reliever" medication in case one happens.

From BBC ● Feb. 5, 2022

The blowout preventer was supposed to be the last-ditch defense against high-pressure gas and oil bursting out of the well.

From Slate ● Sep. 30, 2016

We see the massive blowout preventer on the sea floor, which is rumbling and bubbling and being ominous.

From Washington Post ● Sep. 29, 2016

"They didn't rake the fires until too late, I suppose, and left the engine under one bell possibly, while they steered 'fore the wind with the preventer tiller."

From The Wreck of the Titan or, Futility by Morgan Robertson

Another would require blowout preventers — the equipment that failed in 2010 — to always be able to handle the well’s maximum gas flow specifications.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 12, 2022

Angelle said initial staff recommendations to keep the two-week testing frequency for blowout preventers “were not ready and ripe.”

From Washington Times ● Apr. 18, 2020

But Sunday’s press conference shows that, through flattery and fear, he can be prevented from preventing the actual preventers from doing prevention.

From Slate ● Mar. 31, 2020

The proposal included many changes requested by the industry, such as loosening inspection requirements for blowout preventers and eliminating the need to shut down operations as lift boats approached.

From New York Times ● Mar. 10, 2018

But the men and women who go about their business, doing their work well all of the time, are the preventers of social trouble.

From The Precipice by Elia Wilkinson Peattie