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
Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 26 Sep. 2025
When looking to buy parts online from overseas retailers or if the price is well below competitors, purchase with caution.
—Stuart Dyos, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2025
Many experts, including a former agriculture minister, have repeatedly cautioned that Iran must keep water use below 40% of renewable supplies, leaving enough for rivers to flow, wetlands to breathe, and aquifers to naturally recharge.
—Nik Kowsar, Time, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for caution
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Noun
As artificial intelligence seeps into daily life, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education aims to incorporate the emerging technologies into the classroom, but with caution.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 26 Sep. 2025
When looking to buy parts online from overseas retailers or if the price is well below competitors, purchase with caution.
—Stuart Dyos, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
Starks cautioned the figures in the report do not necessarily indicate that number of students ultimately attended the corresponding school.
—Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2025
Many experts, including a former agriculture minister, have repeatedly cautioned that Iran must keep water use below 40% of renewable supplies, leaving enough for rivers to flow, wetlands to breathe, and aquifers to naturally recharge.
—Nik Kowsar, Time, 2 Oct. 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 4 Oct. 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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