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
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
In its Facebook post, the CHP urged drivers to take precautions during foggy weather by slowing down and remaining alert.
—
Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026
The child, who had been choking on mucus, was taken to Jacobi Hospital as a precaution and is doing well, police said.
—Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 1 Feb. 2026
While black bears are currently in hibernation, there are numerous precautions Connecticut residents can take when the bears emerge this spring.
—Sasha Allen, Hartford Courant, 31 Jan. 2026
The tourism industry – including all seven Orlando theme parks – all but completely shuts down as a COVID pandemic precaution.
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for precaution
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Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026
The child, who had been choking on mucus, was taken to Jacobi Hospital as a precaution and is doing well, police said.
—Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 1 Feb. 2026
While black bears are currently in hibernation, there are numerous precautions Connecticut residents can take when the bears emerge this spring.
—Sasha Allen, Hartford Courant, 31 Jan. 2026
The tourism industry – including all seven Orlando theme parks – all but completely shuts down as a COVID pandemic precaution.
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for precaution
Cite this Entry
“Precaution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precaution. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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