risk factor

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.

risk factor

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of risk factor¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

By isolating fame as a risk factor, the study shows achieving stardom can be a "turning point" in bringing about greater health concerns.

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Companies across sectors, including Rheinmetall, list potential labor shortages as a risk factor in their annual reports.

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“Masking is actually a risk factor of suicide for autistic people,” said Lisa Morgan, founder of the Autism and Suicide Prevention Workgroup, who is autistic herself.

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“Masking is actually a risk factor of suicide for autistic people, and it has a negative effect on one’s mental health,” said Lisa Morgan, founder of the Autism and Suicide Prevention Workgroup, who is autistic herself.

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Utilizing more than 1.2 million responses from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey, the research team examined how e-cigarette use and traditional smoking relate to prediabetes and diabetes diagnoses.

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