1
: warning, admonishment
Her comments were intended as a caution to us to protect our property.
2
: precaution
a surgeon taking the caution of sterilizing his instruments
3
: prudent forethought to minimize risk
Use caution when operating a chain saw.
4
: one that astonishes or commands attention
some shoes you see … these days are a caution—
Esquire
EsquireExamples of caution in a Sentence
Noun
You should use caution when operating the electric saw.
He injected a note of caution in his talk.
Her financial adviser urged caution before investing in the project.
The roads are slippery: drive with extreme caution.
Her comments were intended as a caution to us to protect our property.
A note of caution: be sure that the electricity is off before you install the ceiling fan.
She was given a caution by the magistrate.
Verb
Officials are cautioning that the war may continue for years.
“Don't decide too quickly,” she cautioned.
He was cautioned for speeding.
Recent Examples on the Web
Dan Gooding
shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
Though he’s recovered much faster this time, his manager’s frequent refrain in recent weeks has been one of caution.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 7 July 2025
semafor.com, 8 July 2025
Past Incidents in the last 12 hours: Drivers cautioned as heavy rain triggers traffic concerns on northbound US-69 in Overland Park
Drivers urged to exercise caution as heavy rain prompts traffic warning from 119th Street to I-435 on US-69.
—Kansas City Star Bot
updated July 8, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for caution
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Noun
However, out of an abundance of caution, the FBI asks that the public avoid the area if possible.
—Dan Gooding
shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
Though he’s recovered much faster this time, his manager’s frequent refrain in recent weeks has been one of caution.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 7 July 2025
Verb
Still, European officials cautioned that any agreement would only be preliminary, and from their perspective amounts to damage mitigation because duties would be higher than prior to Trump’s ascension.
—semafor.com, 8 July 2025
Past Incidents in the last 12 hours: Drivers cautioned as heavy rain triggers traffic concerns on northbound US-69 in Overland Park
Drivers urged to exercise caution as heavy rain prompts traffic warning from 119th Street to I-435 on US-69.
—Kansas City Star Bot
updated July 8, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for caution
Cite this Entry
“Caution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caution. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
caution
1 of 2 noun
cau·tion
ˈkȯ-shən 
1
2
: carefulness in regard to danger
3
: someone or something that astonishes or catches one's attention
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