caution

noun cau·tion \ ˈkȯ-shən \

Updated on: 19 May 2018

Definition of caution

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

—

cautionary

play \-shə-ˌner-ē, -ne-rē\ adjective

See caution defined for English-language learners

See caution defined for kids

Examples of caution in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of caution from the Web

The Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom also approaches politically charged issues with caution.

— jeff karoub and david crary, The Christian Science Monitor, "American Muslims and Jews band together in the face of Mideast turmoil," 15 May 2018
As always, these writeups contain not just history but major plot spoilers, so read with caution.

— rachel kaufman, Smithsonian, "Pilot, Thinker, Soldier, Spy: The Epic “Timeless” Season Finale Twofer," 13 May 2018
Aitken’s message may simply be: proceed with caution.

— andrea k. scott, The New Yorker, "Doug Aitken Mirrors Our Obsession with Mobile Technology," 4 May 2018
Out of an abundance of caution, non-essential employees have been evacuated.

— carlie kollath wells, NOLA.com, "Fire reported at Dow Chemical plant in St. Charles Parish," 27 Apr. 2018
The nonprofit National Center for Cold Water Safety advises people to treat any water temperature under 70 degrees with caution.

— jim ryan, OregonLive.com, "As Portland temps rise, so does allure of cold, dangerous waters," 23 Apr. 2018
One reason for caution though: the most dominant teams of the Calipari era (2010, 2012, 2015) have each included the No. 1 pick in the next NBA draft and each of the Final Four teams has included at least one top-10 pick.

— jon hale, The Courier-Journal, "A look at the best-case and worst-case scenarios for Kentucky basketball's 2018-19 roster," 11 Apr. 2018
But while experts and advocates welcome the funding, there are a few reasons for caution.

— german lopez, Vox, "Congress’s omnibus bill adds $3.3 billion to fight the opioid crisis. It’s not enough.," 22 Mar. 2018
Crews took immediate action and, out of an abundance of caution, worked with the city to close adjacent streets.

— ken lambert, The Seattle Times, "Formwork leans away from Nexus project under construction in Seattle," 19 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'caution.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of caution

Latin caution-, cautio precaution, from cavēre to be on one's guard — more at hear

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1566

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

caution Synonyms

caution

verb

Definition of caution

cautioned; cautioning play \ˈkȯ-sh(ə-)niŋ\

transitive verb

: to advise caution to : warn

She cautioned him not to act rashly.

See caution defined for English-language learners

Examples of caution in a Sentence

Officials are cautioning that the war may continue for years.
“Don't decide too quickly,” she cautioned.
He was cautioned for speeding.

Recent Examples of caution from the Web

An initial autopsy found significant traumatic injuries to the soft tissue of Robinson's neck, said Jefferson Parish Coroner Dr. Gerry Cvitanovich, who cautioned that the results are preliminary and more tests need to be conducted.

— tina burnside and darran simon, CNN, "Death of black man during arrest in Louisiana ruled homicide," 14 May 2018
He was joined by the heads of the CIA and National Security Agency, and the director of national intelligence, who also cautioned against the public using ZTE's products.

— derek hawkins, chicagotribune.com, "Trump's ZTE reversal flouts warnings from top national security officials," 14 May 2018
But the water could originate elsewhere, Jia cautioned.

— sarah kaplan, courant.com, "Scientists discover new evidence for plumes on Europa, a target in the search for life," 14 May 2018
What’s more, calling off Day Zero could rob the warning of its strength the next time an official cautions that reservoirs are going dangerously dry.

— rachel becker, The Verge, "Today wasn’t Day Zero in Cape Town, but the water crisis isn’t over," 11 May 2018
But to many Americans, taking the Fifth is tantamount to confessing, even though legal experts caution against this interpretation.

— tessa berenson, Time, "How Donald Trump Could Make History by Pleading the Fifth," 8 May 2018
This is a key reason the editors of the scientific journal Addiction have cautioned against overinterpreting the marijuana and opioid studies so far.

— german lopez, Vox, "Medical marijuana may help combat the opioid crisis. But there are better solutions.," 30 Apr. 2018
Some conservatives and many liberals noted that North Korea has made and broken similar promises in the past and cautioned against spiking the football before reaching the end zone.

— william cummings, USA TODAY, "The Bubble: Trump deserves Nobel Peace Prize after summit between North and South Korea," 27 Apr. 2018
Howard County’s top executive Thursday morning cautioned business leaders against relying too heavily on federal contracts and said Columbia’s Gateway Innovation District can be a magnet for new companies.

— kate magill, Columbia Flier, "Diversity in Howard's business base, regional cooperation touted at forum," 26 Apr. 2018

First Known Use of caution

1683

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

caution Synonyms

Synonyms

advise, alert, forewarn, wake, warn;

Near Antonyms

imperil, risk;

apprise, inform, notify, tip (off);

admonish;

bode, forebode (also forbode), foreshadow, foretoken, portend;

CAUTION Defined for English Language Learners

caution

noun

Definition of caution for English Language Learners

: care taken to avoid danger or risk : a careful attitude or way of behaving
: a warning telling someone to be careful
law : a spoken official warning given to someone who has done something illegal but has not committed a serious crime

caution

verb

Definition of caution for English Language Learners

: to warn or tell (someone) about a possible danger, problem, etc.
law : to give a caution to (someone)

CAUTION Defined for Kids

caution

noun cau·tion \ ˈkȯ-shən \

Definition of caution for Students

1 : care taken to avoid trouble or danger : precaution

They approached the dog with caution.

2 : warning

a word of caution

caution

verb

Definition of caution for Students

cautioned; cautioning

: to warn about danger

Learn More about caution

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for caution Spanish Central: Translation of caution Nglish: Translation of caution for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of caution for Arabic speakers

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caution

Definition of caution

cautionary

Examples of caution in a Sentence

Recent Examples of caution from the Web

Origin and Etymology of caution

caution Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

caution

Definition of caution

Examples of caution in a Sentence

Recent Examples of caution from the Web

First Known Use of caution

caution Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

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CAUTION Defined for English Language Learners

caution

Definition of caution for English Language Learners

caution

Definition of caution for English Language Learners

CAUTION Defined for Kids

caution

Definition of caution for Students

caution

Definition of caution for Students

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