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 chainsaw.
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
Owen Clarke, Outside, 9 Feb. 2026
So while these stocks look incredible, some caution is warranted.
—Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 9 Feb. 2026
Valeng Cha, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026
But while Bass has taken a political hit following the Palisades fire, Zev Yaroslavsky, a former Los Angeles County supervisor and longtime political observer, cautioned against reading too much into approval ratings in a crowded field.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for caution
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Noun
Toxicologist Alex LeBeau urged caution when interpreting the results.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 9 Feb. 2026
So while these stocks look incredible, some caution is warranted.
—Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 9 Feb. 2026
Verb
Confidence has given way to caution — an instinct deeper than any civics lesson.
—Valeng Cha, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026
But while Bass has taken a political hit following the Palisades fire, Zev Yaroslavsky, a former Los Angeles County supervisor and longtime political observer, cautioned against reading too much into approval ratings in a crowded field.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for caution
Cite this Entry
“Caution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caution. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.
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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