risk factor

American  

noun

1. a condition, behavior, or other factor that increases risk.

   Smoking is a major risk factor for cancer;

   depression as a risk factor in suicide.

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risk factor British  

noun

1. med a factor, such as a habit or an environmental condition, that predisposes an individual to develop a particular disease

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Etymology

Origin of risk factor

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Those emissions aren’t the only risk factor for SpaceX.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

Impaired kidney function was also a major risk factor for heart disease, contributing to about 12% of global cardiovascular deaths.

From Science Daily • May 29, 2026

The USC team linked elevated cPLA2 activity to Alzheimer's risk while studying people who carry the APOE4 gene, the strongest known genetic risk factor for the disease.

From Science Daily • May 26, 2026

The tanning lamp rule, which was first proposed in 2015, focused on age as a specific risk factor.

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026

“Not you. He was investigating Ethan and the community project at the mission. Making sure the risk factor was minimal.”

From "The Adoration of Jenna Fox" by Mary E. Pearson