Hazard Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

Britannica Dictionary definition of HAZARD

1

[count]

:

a source of danger

• Young people should be educated about the hazards of excessive drinking. [=about how drinking too much alcohol is harmful]
• That old staircase is a safety hazard. [=it is dangerous; someone could get hurt by using it]
• a fire hazard [=something that could cause a fire]
• a health hazard = a hazard to your health [=something that could make you sick]
• Hand injuries are an occupational hazard for typists. [=typists are likely to have hand injuries because of the work they do]
• a traffic hazard [=something that could cause an accident involving a car, bicycle, etc.]

2

[count]

golf

:

something on a golf course (such as a pond or an area of sand) that makes hitting the ball into the hole more difficult

• a water hazard

Britannica Dictionary definition of HAZARD

[+ object]

1

:

to risk losing (something, such as money) in an attempt to get, win, or achieve something

• His friend asked him to hazard a small sum in a business venture.

2

:

to offer (something, such as a guess or an opinion) even though you may be wrong

• She was unwilling to hazard [=_venture_] a guess as to who would win.
• hazard an opinion