precaution

noun

pre·​cau·​tion pri-ˈkȯ-shən 

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

pri-ˈkȯ-shə-ˌner-ē 

adjective

Synonyms

• caution
• fail-safe
• palladium
• preventive
• safeguard

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

To prevent gulls from nesting on rooftops, it is recommended to take precautions during the winter, before the birds begin to settle, and to steer clear from chicks and nests. —Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025

Always follow proper procedures and ensure fire safety precautions are in place to prevent accidents. —Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 18 June 2025

My loved ones gently encourage me to take precautions. —Julie Gonzales, Denver Post, 16 June 2025

Watch local news or social network neighborhood forums to monitor epidemics of local converter thefts, and take extra precautions. —Josh Max, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025

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

Rhymes for precaution

• laplacian
• caution
• washin

Kids Definition

precaution

noun

pre·​cau·​tion pri-ˈkȯ-shən 

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

-shə-ˌner-ē 

adjective