From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishhazardhaz‧ard1 /ˈhæzəd $ -ərd/ ●●○ noun [countable] 1 DANGEROUSsomething that may be dangerous, or cause accidents or problemshazard to/for Polluted water sources are a hazard to wildlife. That pile of rubbish is a fire hazard (=something that is likely to cause a fire).health/safety hazard the health hazard posed by lead in petrol2 RISKa risk that cannot be avoidedthe hazards of something the economic hazards of running a small farmoccupational hazard (=a danger that exists in a job) Divorce seems to be an occupational hazard for politicians.COLLOCATIONSADJECTIVES/NOUN + hazard a health hazardThe rubbish needs to be removed before it becomes a health hazard.a fire hazardThe unoccupied building was declared a fire hazard.a safety hazardProtesters claim that the nuclear reactor is a safety hazard.a traffic hazardCars parked in the wrong places can cause a traffic hazard.a natural hazard (=a hazard caused by nature)One of the most widespread natural hazards is flooding.an environmental hazard (=a danger or problem in the environment)Oil from the tanker caused an environmental hazard.a serious/major hazardLead pipes are a serious hazard to health.a potential hazardMicrowave ovens are a potential hazard if not used properly.verbscause/create a hazardThere was concern that overhead power lines could cause a health hazard.pose a hazard (=be a possible hazard)It was not known whether radiation from the weapons posed any hazard to soldiers.eliminate a hazard (=get rid of a hazard)They took steps to eliminate all potential fire hazards.reduce a hazardHe led the campaign to recognize and reduce the hazard from radiation in our environment.
Examples from the Corpus
hazard• This presented a hazard that she hadn't experienced before - traffic.• Many represent a hazard to neonatal life.• Malaria is a common hazard of life in the region.• The estimated hazard may increase with duration for some individuals and not for others in the sample, depending on their data.• Ice on the road is a major hazard at this time of the year.• Other approaches include limiting vehicle horsepower, placing warning signs to mark hazards and enforcing speed limits.• Serious lung disease seems to be an occupational hazard of working in mines.• We all know that in contemporary science the greatest occupational hazard is simultaneous discovery.• Flashing signs on the motorway warn drivers of hazards ahead.• Automakers say that in their zeal to promote airbags, regulators turned a blind eye to evidence of hazards.• Steep stairs can present a particular hazard to older people.• a study into the potential hazards of playing computer games for long periods of time• Popular wisdom accepts impacts as a real hazard.• Despite the hazards of working 50 storeys above the ground, my grandfather loved his job.• For international traders, changes in the exchange rate are an unavoidable hazard.health/safety hazard• Campaigners claim deposits of coal dust released into the atmosphere are a health hazard and a nuisance.• Indeed, eating large meals can be a health hazard.• Excess body fat is a health hazard.• The public is convinced tobacco smoking is a health hazard and must be reined in.• Rubbish, including gas bottles, was strewn across the land and the entire site was a health hazard.• Before tests can begin, the Food and Drug Administration must decide if the potatoes are likely to pose major safety hazards.• Henry did realize, didn't he, that what he'd done had constituted a real health hazard?• The lead in old paints is a real health hazard.• Nothing is maintained, sewer networks, water pipes, or treatment plants, so health hazards have flourished.occupational hazard• Burnout seems to be an occupational hazard for teachers.• Getting injured is an occupational hazard.• This is an occupational hazard shared by sportswriters and opinion pollsters.• Knowing too much was an occupational hazard of his travels.• Loss of concentration, a complete lack of ability to focus, was the chief occupational hazard of the trading floor.• We all know that in contemporary science the greatest occupational hazard is simultaneous discovery.• The data on occupational hazards and wage differentials, used by Thaler and Rosen, suffer from several problems: 1.• Therefore, hepatitis B represents a significant occupational hazard to all workers who have contact with blood or body fluids.• By the early seventies both were considered unremarkable occupational hazards of life in the gay fast lane.hazardhazard2 verb [transitive] 1 SUGGESTto say something that is only a suggestion or guess and that might not be correct $50,000? I don’t know. I’m only hazarding a guess.2 formalRISK to risk losing your money, property etc in an attempt to gain something→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
hazard• It would be foolish even to hazard a guess.• Not being a builder, nor an architect, I can only hazard a guess.• Now that the end at last seemed in sight, he thought he might hazard a look.• The glitter in his hooded eyes made it impossible for her to hazard even the wildest guess at what he was thinking.• A few thought a steamer might hazard the crossing.• No wonder no-one at Siemens Nixdorf wants to hazard when the company might return to profit.From Longman Business Dictionaryhazardhaz‧ard /ˈhæzəd-ərd/ noun [countable] something that may be dangerous, cause problems, accidents etcThere may be other workplaces with similar fire hazards.We want to take waste away from places where it poses a health hazard.The plant posed serious environmental hazards. → moral hazard → occupational hazardOrigin hazard1 (1200-1300) Old French hasard “game of chance played with dice”, from Arabic az-zahr “the chance” 