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

Always read directions and take precautions when using these herbicides. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 5 July 2026

Paramedics reportedly met the artist backstage and transported him to a nearby hospital out of precaution. — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

For Hammond, keen to avoid stomach bugs, those extra precautions meant supercharging cleaning rituals. — Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 6 July 2026

The two dock workers, an 18-year-old man and a 20-year-old man, were taken to a local hospital as a precaution because paramedics were concerned about smoke inhalation. — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 5 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