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
Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 30 May 2025
Out of an abundance of caution, Hormel Foods is voluntarily recalling 17,080 cases of a single code date of 20 oz.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
In November 2024, Grande cautioned fans that acting, and not singing, would be her focus for the next decade.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for caution
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Noun
The club is exercising extreme caution with the 24-year-old Mauricio.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 30 May 2025
Out of an abundance of caution, Hormel Foods is voluntarily recalling 17,080 cases of a single code date of 20 oz.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
Verb
Ludovic Marin/Getty Images French President Emmanuel Macron cautioned the US and Indo-Pacific nations Friday against risking a dangerous double standard by focusing on China while potentially abandoning Ukraine.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
In November 2024, Grande cautioned fans that acting, and not singing, would be her focus for the next decade.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 30 May 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 9 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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