A factor, thing, element, or course involving uncertain danger; a hazard: the usual risks of the desert: rattlesnakes, the heat, and lack of water (Frank Clancy). Definition: Risk implies future uncertainty about deviation from expected earnings or expected outcome. Risk measures the uncertainty that an investor is willing to take to realize a gain from an investment. Description: Risks are of different types and originate from different situations. The impurity of the water is a serious health risk. It was an awful risk to take. Are you prepared to put your children at risk? The benefits of this treatment far outweigh any risks. There are too many risks attendant on such a large investment of money. Risk comes from the French for danger. As nouns, risk and danger are close synonyms. The verb risk means to run a danger, in hopes of reward. So risk is similar to gamble. If you're very ill, you might risk a dangerous surgery. We also use risk for money or security. Smoking is a risk to your lungs. Kids think it's fun, but they don't realize the risks involved. Excess body fat is a serious/significant health risk. The government claims she is a risk to national security. The meaning of RISK is possibility of loss or injury : peril. How to use risk in a sentence. The term Risk is used in many ways and has is given different definitions depending on the field and context. Common to most definitions of risk is uncertainty and undesirable outcomes. Definitions of risk range from narrow definitions to wide definitions. This table lists ten (10) definitions of risk from different industries and standards. The impurity of the water is a serious health risk. It was an awful risk to take. Are you prepared to put your children at risk? The benefits of this treatment far outweigh any risks. There are too many risks attendant on such a large investment of money. The simple definition of RISK is the possibility that something bad or unpleasant (such as an injury or a loss) will happen. Risk is the possibility of something bad happening, [1] comprising a level of uncertainty about the effects and implications of an activity, particularly negative and undesirable consequences. [2][3].