Definition of caveat
1a : a warning enjoining one from certain acts or practices a caveat against unfair practicesb : an explanation to prevent misinterpretationc : a modifying or cautionary detail to be considered when evaluating, interpreting, or doing something The driving instructor gave his students this caveat: if you are driving under the speed limit, stay in the far right lane.
2 : a legal warning to a judicial officer to suspend a proceeding until the opposition has a hearing
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Examples of caveat in a Sentence
Sound great? There's just one caveat: Knowledge about how genes work is still in the scientific Stone Age. —Andrea Knox, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2000
We'll add a caveat of our own for parents: After your kids walk through 17,500 gal. of swirling water, they're not going to be satisfied running through the lawn sprinkler. —Jim Wilson, Popular Mechanics, July 1999
But the youthquake in the new economy comes with a caveat that also may begin applying to politics. If you're inexperienced and you want a big job, you'd better be smart as hell. —Jonathan Alter, Newsweek, 22 Nov. 1999
… a cluster bomb can destroy objects over a wider area, with the important caveat that it is effective only if the bomblets have sufficient destructive power on their own. —Norman Friedman, Desert Victory, 1991
His investment advice comes with a caveat: that the stock market is impossible to predict with absolute accuracy.
Recent Examples of caveat from the Web
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Big caveat here: Lazarus doesn’t reveal much about itself.
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Even the initial deal came with a caveat: The company is still moving some auto production to an existing factory in Mexico, in addition to plowing $700 million into a plant south of Detroit.
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When the Liberty traded for center Kia Vaughn in January, Coach Bill Laimbeer knew there was a caveat.
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Clark explained to council members that the money was available with the caveat that overnight visits could resume this year if HCPS officials could find money in the capital budget to buy the new generator and dryers.
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Add Durant into the mix, however, and that winning formula sprouts all sorts of caveats.
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As a caveat, officials believe the renovation will also help New Orleans in its bid for the 2024 Super Bowl.
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But astronauts will face an even more intense radiation environment in deep space, which is an important caveat to consider when interpreting the study’s conclusions.
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But that statement is reasonable only with some very important caveats.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'caveat'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Did You Know?
You may be familiar with the old saying "caveat emptor," nowadays loosely translated as "let the buyer beware." In the 16th century, this adage was imparted as a safeguard for the seller: allow the buyer to examine the item (for example, a horse) before the sale is completed, so the seller can't be blamed if the item turns out to be unsatisfactory. "Caveat" in Latin means let him beware and comes from the verb "cavēre" ("to be on guard"). Perhaps you've also heard "caveat lector": "let the reader beware," a warning to take what one reads with a grain of salt. English retained "caveat" itself as a noun for something that serves to warn, explain, or caution. (The word caution is another descendant of "cavēre.")
Origin and Etymology of caveat
Latin, let him beware, from cavēre — more at hear
First Known Use: 1533
Other Legal Terms
CAVEAT Defined for English Language Learners
caveat
playDefinition of caveat for English Language Learners
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: an explanation or warning that should be remembered when you are doing or thinking about something
Law Dictionary
caveat
playLegal Definition of caveat
1a : a warning enjoining one from certain acts or practices b : an explanation to prevent a misinterpretation
2 : a notice to a court or judicial officer to suspend a proceeding until the opposition can be heard a caveat entered in the probate court to stop the proving of the will
caveat
verbOrigin and Etymology of caveat
Latin, may he/she beware
Learn More about caveat
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See words that rhyme with caveat Nglish: Translation of caveat for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of caveat for Arabic speakers
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