risk Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
    endangerment; jeopardy; peril; hazard.
    • drinking alcohol is a health hazard
  2. noun a venture undertaken without regard to possible loss or injury
    peril; danger.
    • he saw the rewards but not the risks of crime
    • there was a danger he would do the wrong thing
  3. noun the probability of becoming infected given that exposure to an infectious agent has occurred
    risk of infection.
  4. noun the probability of being exposed to an infectious agent
    risk of exposure.
  5. verb expose to a chance of loss or damage
    lay on the line; put on the line.
    • We risked losing a lot of money in this venture
    • Why risk your life?
    • She laid her job on the line when she told the boss that he was wrong
  6. verb take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome
    take a chance; hazard; take chances; chance; adventure; gamble; run a risk.
    • When you buy these stocks you are gambling

WordNet

Risk noun
Etymology
F. risque; cf. It. risco, risico, rischio, Pg. risco, Sp. riesgo, and also Sp. risco a steep rock; all probably fr. L. resceare to cut off; pref. re- re- + secare to cut; -- the word having been probably first used among sailors. See Section.
Definitions
  1. Hazard; danger; peril; exposure to loss, injury, or destruction.
    The imminent and constant risk of assassination, a risk which has shaken very strong nerves. Macaulay.
  2. (Com.) Hazard of loss; liabillity to loss in property. Syn. -- Danger; hazard; peril; jeopardy; exposure. See Danger.
Risk transitive verb
Etymology
CF. F. risquer. See Risk, n.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Risked ; present participle & verbal noun Risking
Definitions
  1. To expose to risk, hazard, or peril; to venture; as, to risk goods on board of a ship; to risk one's person in battle; to risk one's fame by a publication.
  2. To incur the risk or danger of; as, to risk a battle. Syn. -- To hazard; peril; endanger; jeopard.

Webster 1913