precaution

noun

pre·​cau·​tion pri-ˈkȯ-shən How to pronounce precaution (audio)
1
: care taken in advance : foresight
warned of the need for precaution
2
: a measure taken beforehand to prevent harm or secure good : safeguard
take the necessary precautions
precautionary adjective

Examples of precaution in a Sentence

Be sure to follow the usual safety precautions when cooking outdoors. When driving, she always wears her seatbelt as a precaution. Every home owner should take precautions against fire. She took the precaution of packing extra medicine for the trip.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As a further precaution, upon arrival in Fort Lauderdale ... both ships underwent additional and comprehensive sanitization before embarking on their next voyages with no further outbreaks. Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 1 Jan. 2025 The memo urged players to take special precautions, including installing home security systems. Scott Thompson, Fox News, 30 Dec. 2024 On Friday, with weather forecasts warning of falling temperatures, the Palestinian Civil Defense emergency service urged Gazans, especially those in tent encampments, to take extra precautions. Aryn Baker, New York Times, 30 Dec. 2024 See photos:New Jersey sinkhole: Photos show 40-foot-deep depression on Interstate 80 Boil water advisory in Edison As crews worked to fix the break, a boil water advisory was put into effect as a precaution shortly after 3 p.m. Thursday for Edison Water Utility users. Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY, 27 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for precaution 

Word History

Etymology

French précaution, from Late Latin praecaution-, praecautio, from Latin praecavēre to guard against, from prae- + cavēre to be on one's guard — more at hear

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of precaution was in 1599

Dictionary Entries Near precaution

Cite this Entry

“Precaution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precaution. Accessed 15 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

precaution

noun
pre·​cau·​tion pri-ˈkȯ-shən How to pronounce precaution (audio)
1
: care taken in advance : foresight
2
: a measure taken beforehand to prevent harm or to bring about a good result
take precautions against fire
precautionary adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on precaution

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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