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
Southern California Weather Report, Oc Register, 13 June 2025
Even those, including Nephew, who advocate for a new deal caution that Iran’s enrichment capacity has increased in the seven years since Trump left the 2015 agreement.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 12 June 2025
Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2025
Braithwaite cautioned that such speculation is difficult without full evidence.
—Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for caution
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Noun
Objects that are outdoors should be secured and caution should be taken if driving.
—Southern California Weather Report, Oc Register, 13 June 2025
Even those, including Nephew, who advocate for a new deal caution that Iran’s enrichment capacity has increased in the seven years since Trump left the 2015 agreement.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 12 June 2025
Verb
However, sources cautioned that negotiations could go past the June deadline and that the parties expect a deal to get done.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2025
Braithwaite cautioned that such speculation is difficult without full evidence.
—Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 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 17 Jun. 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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