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

See Examples For:

risk factor

“Foreign-exchange movements are one upside risk factor that requires close attention,” he added.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026

"Because chronic stress is a risk factor for dementia, our study reveals a critical mechanism for how stress hormones destabilize this sensitive region," explains Akan.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 9, 2026

The Zurich Cantonal Bank said in a market commentary that the settlement "brings clarity" to a protracted legal dispute, where the litigation has been disclosed as a risk factor in every annual report since 2016.

From Barron's ● Aug. 3, 2026

Obesity also is a risk factor that increases the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, according to the National Institutes of Health.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 27, 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