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

That means thinking about children’s health, ensuring asthma patients take necessary precautions when going outdoors, and thinking about how to stay safe indoors. — Anjalee Khemlani, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

For precaution, the weather service advises anyone spending time outdoors to know the symptoms of heat exhaustion, which include dizziness, thirst, nausea, heavy sweating and weakness. — Ruth Abramovitz, Sun Sentinel, 20 July 2026

Use the Air Quality Index to get information about local air quality and what precautions are recommended, especially for kids with asthma. — Dr. Lauren Zajac, Boston Herald, 19 July 2026

As a precaution, the city has ordered 76 buildings to clean, drain and disinfect their cooling towers while the investigation continues. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 19 July 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