in case

1 of 2

conjunction

1

: as a precaution against the event that

carries an umbrella in case it rains

2

: if

In case we are surprised, keep by me.

—Washington Irving

in case

2 of 2

phrase

: as a precaution

took an umbrella, just in case

Examples of in case in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Conjunction

After traveling to Cyprus for an informal European Union leaders’ summit, Macron visited the Greek capital to renew a 2021 defense partnership between France and Greece that includes a mutual assistance clause in case of an armed attack against either. —ABC News, 25 Apr. 2026

Earlier in the week, USA TODAY exclusively reported that the Pentagon was asked to draw up contingency plans in case Trump decides to launch a military operation. —Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026

The stickers are also used as backups in case the main, larger tags applied around handles fall off or are damaged. —Joey Skladany, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2026

Select an alarm clock with a light-dimming feature and a battery backup in case of power outages. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 23 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Conjunction

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for in case

• abase
• airspace
• apace
• backspace
• biface
• birthplace
• blackface
• boldface
• bookcase
• braincase
• briefcase
• carcase