1
: warning, admonishment
Her comments were intended as a caution to us to protect our property.
2
: precaution
a surgeon taking the caution of sterilizing his instruments
3
: prudent forethought to minimize risk
Use caution when operating a chain saw.
4
: one that astonishes or commands attention
some shoes you see … these days are a caution—
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Examples of caution in a Sentence
Noun
You should use caution when operating the electric saw.
He injected a note of caution in his talk.
Her financial adviser urged caution before investing in the project.
The roads are slippery: drive with extreme caution.
Her comments were intended as a caution to us to protect our property.
A note of caution: be sure that the electricity is off before you install the ceiling fan.
She was given a caution by the magistrate.
Verb
Officials are cautioning that the war may continue for years.
“Don't decide too quickly,” she cautioned.
He was cautioned for speeding.
Recent Examples on the Web
Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 20 Dec. 2024
One person had caution tape wrapped around an injury as a tourniquet, said Matt Riester, a TeamHealth physician who oversees the emergency department at the hospital.
—Beth Warren, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 20 Dec. 2024
While lauding the ambition, environmental groups caution that achieving these goals will demand significant policy and technological innovation.
—Gord Magill, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for caution 
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Noun
Should investors continue treading with caution because of the downward trend?
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 20 Dec. 2024
One person had caution tape wrapped around an injury as a tourniquet, said Matt Riester, a TeamHealth physician who oversees the emergency department at the hospital.
—Beth Warren, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has cautioned that a looming government shutdown could lead to longer wait times for travelers at airport security checkpoints.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 20 Dec. 2024
While lauding the ambition, environmental groups caution that achieving these goals will demand significant policy and technological innovation.
—Gord Magill, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for caution
Articles Related to caution
Dictionary Entries Near caution
Cite this Entry
“Caution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caution. Accessed 26 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
caution
1 of 2 noun
cau·tion
ˈkȯ-shən 
1
2
: carefulness in regard to danger
3
: someone or something that astonishes or catches one's attention
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