pro·phy·lac·tic
ˌprō-fə-ˈlak-tik 
also
ˌprä-
1
: guarding from or preventing the spread or occurrence of disease or infection
2
: tending to prevent or ward off : preventive
: something prophylactic
especially
: a device and especially a condom for preventing venereal infection or conception
Synonyms
Examples of prophylactic in a Sentence
Adjective
the prophylactic use of antibiotics
the many prophylactic measures that city officials could have taken to reduce the scope of the disaster
Recent Examples on the Web
Amanda Montañez, Scientific American, 27 Sep. 2024
In Maria, the 49-year-old actress returns to portray opera icon Maria Callas, which marks Jolie’s first major film appearance following her decision to undergo a bilateral prophylactic mastectomy and breast reconstruction in 2013 due to her BRCA1 gene mutation and elevated risk of breast cancer.
—Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 5 Sep. 2024
Rachel Krause, refinery29.com, 9 Apr. 2024
By a similar token, particular scents were understood to be curative or prophylactic.
—Scott Sayare Robert Petkoff Anna Diamond Quinton Kamara, New York Times, 14 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for prophylactic 
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Adjective
As a result, members of the latter group might consider a prophylactic mastectomy, whereas for others, the benefits of surgery are unlikely to outweigh the drawbacks.
—Amanda Montañez, Scientific American, 27 Sep. 2024
In Maria, the 49-year-old actress returns to portray opera icon Maria Callas, which marks Jolie’s first major film appearance following her decision to undergo a bilateral prophylactic mastectomy and breast reconstruction in 2013 due to her BRCA1 gene mutation and elevated risk of breast cancer.
—Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 5 Sep. 2024
Noun
May your heat protectants be as effective as your prophylactics — that is, around 98% when used perfectly.
—Rachel Krause, refinery29.com, 9 Apr. 2024
By a similar token, particular scents were understood to be curative or prophylactic.
—Scott Sayare Robert Petkoff Anna Diamond Quinton Kamara, New York Times, 14 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for prophylactic
Dictionary Entries Near prophylactic
Cite this Entry
“Prophylactic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prophylactic. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prophylactic
1 of 2 adjective
pro·phy·lac·tic
ˌprō-fə-ˈlak-tik
1
: guarding from or preventing the spread or occurrence of disease or infection
2
: tending to prevent or ward off
prophylactic
2 of 2 noun
: something prophylactic
especially
: a device and especially a condom for preventing infection or pregnancy
Medical Definition
prophylactic
1 of 2 adjective
pro·phy·lac·tic
ˌprō-fə-ˈlak-tik also ˌpräf-ə-
1
: guarding from or preventing the spread or occurrence of disease or infection
prophylactic therapy
2
: tending to prevent or ward off : preventive
prophylactic
2 of 2 noun
: something (as a medicinal preparation) that is prophylactic
especially
: a device and especially a condom for preventing venereal infection or conception
Legal Definition
prophylactic
adjective
pro·phy·lac·tic
ˌprō-fə-ˈlak-tik, ˌprä-
: designed or tending to prevent harm or wrong
a prophylactic rule against profiting from inside information
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