Word
hazard
Meanings
Something that may cause harm, injury, or damage; a danger or risk.
An obstacle or dangerous feature on a golf course, such as a sand bunker or water area.
Definition
A hazard is something that can cause harm, damage, or danger.
A hazard is a source of risk that could lead to injury, damage, or other harm if people are exposed to it. It can be a physical thing, a situation, or a condition in the environment. In workplaces and public spaces, hazards are identified and reduced to improve safety.
Examples
- Loose cables across the corridor created a serious hazard during the conference setup.
- You should treat fatigue as a hazard when you are driving long distances at night.
- The inspector noted that poor ventilation can be a hazard in crowded workshops.
- After the storm, they closed the hiking trail because fallen branches posed a hazard to visitors.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse hazard (a source of danger) with risk (the likelihood of harm), so avoid using them as exact synonyms.
More at C1 level
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More nouns
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