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

Travelers are advised to exercise normal precautions when traveling in the country. —Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 23 May 2025

Melvin and Verlander are looking at it as a necessary precaution and outwardly have expressed confidence that his stuff will bounce back. —Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 23 May 2025

All students were brought inside and the campus was put on hold as a precaution, according to the school district’s statement. —Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 May 2025

Wait for official clearance before heading back and follow officials' safety precautions once allowed in. —Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 20 May 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