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 of precaution

• safeguard
• preventive
• protection
• caution

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

Take every precaution to never leave young children and pets alone in vehicles, especially in extreme heat when car interiors can quickly become hazardous. — Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 29 June 2026

Rice won’t return to full go until after summer practice, but that’s more of a precaution than anything. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026

Out-of-town visitors who aren’t used to the South’s heat and humidity should take extra precautions. — Kristi Swartz, AJC.com, 29 June 2026

Guests said they were instructed by hotel staff to leave the building as a precaution. — Theodore Parisienne, New York Daily News, 29 June 2026

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
• poblacion
• 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