1. The possibility of suffering harm or loss; the danger that injury, damage, or loss will occur; jeopardy: There is a risk anytime a person plans to drive a car when the gas level is low.
2. A factor, thing, element, or any course of action involving uncertain damage or loss; a hazard: There is a considerable risk caused by freezing rain for people who are walking outside.
3. The statistical chance that there could be danger from something; especially, from the failure of an engineered system: A poorly constructed bridge is a significant risk for the drivers in the city.
4. Etymology: from the 1660's risque, from French risque, from Italian risco, riscio, the modern version is now rischio, from riscare, "to run into danger"; of uncertain origin.

1. To expose a person or something to harm, danger, or loss; or to have a situation in which it could be lost or damaged: Steve's father risked all of his money by starting his own business; especially, in these bad economic times.
2. To make it possible that something harmful, dangerous, or detrimental could happen: David's company is risking the loss of millions of dollars by taking part in the proposed project.

Something that makes a person more likely to get a particular disease or some other undesirable physical condition: Old age is one of the risk factors for fracturing bones; among other problems.

Someone who does something which involves danger or an unpredictable result in order to succeed with an unsafe task: When Brandon was asked if he would climb up on the roof to fix a leak during a rain storm, he said, "No way. I'm not a risk-taker; especially, not during this rainstorm!"

The act or fact of doing something which involves some danger or risk in order to achieve a goal or purpose: If a person starts a business, it always involves some risk-taking.