prophylactic

American  

[proh-fuh-lak-tik, prof-uh-] / ˌproʊ fəˈlæk tɪk, ˌprɒf ə- /

adjective

1. defending or protecting from disease or infection, as a drug.

2. preventive or protective.

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noun

1. Medicine/Medical. a prophylactic medicine or measure.

2. a preventive.

3. a device, usually a rubber sheath, used to prevent conception or venereal infection; condom.

prophylactic British  

/ ˌprɒfɪˈlæktɪk /

adjective

1. protecting from or preventing disease

2. protective or preventive

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noun

1. a prophylactic drug or device, esp a condom

Other Word Forms

• prophylactically adverb

Etymology

Origin of prophylactic

First recorded in 1565–75; from Greek prophylaktikós “of guarding,” equivalent to prophylak- (base of prophylássein “to guard beforehand”) + -tikos -tic; prophylaxis

Example Sentences

But more crucially, American military aid is prophylactic.

From Salon

Pallett says such prophylactic use of the drugs, though unavoidable, can “add fuel to the fire” by promoting the evolution and spread of genes for drug resistance.

From Science Magazine

What they found was that it didn't matter whether the patient was treated with prophylactic antibiotics or not when it came to rates of post-operative infection.

From Science Daily

Authorized by the FDA for emergency use, it’s given prophylactically and can help recipients prevent COVID-19 if they are later exposed to an infected person.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s been mostly prophylactic,” he says — “telling the industry what it can and can’t do. But it’s important to have set down the rules of the road.”

From Los Angeles Times