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
Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Jan. 2026
Objects that are outdoors should be secured and caution should be taken if driving.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 Jan. 2026
Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 2 Jan. 2026
Some witnesses said the fire was caused by sparklers placed in champagne bottles, though officials caution that the investigation will take time.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for caution
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Noun
Boaters should use extra caution when venturing onto area lakes.
—Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Jan. 2026
Objects that are outdoors should be secured and caution should be taken if driving.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 Jan. 2026
Verb
Viral trends promoted protein lattes, clear protein drinks and even Parmesan cheese wedges as cleaner whole-food alternatives to bars and powders, even as dietitians cautioned the craze is often driven by marketing and is easy to take too far.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 2 Jan. 2026
Some witnesses said the fire was caused by sparklers placed in champagne bottles, though officials caution that the investigation will take time.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 2 Jan. 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 7 Jan. 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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