precaution

noun

pre·​cau·​tion pri-ˈkȯ-shən 

1

: care taken in advance : foresight

warned of the need for precaution

2

: a measure taken beforehand to prevent harm or secure good : safeguard

take the necessary precautions

precautionary

pri-ˈkȯ-shə-ˌner-ē 

adjective

Synonyms of precaution

• safeguard
• preventive
• protection
• caution

Examples of precaution in a Sentence

Be sure to follow the usual safety precautions when cooking outdoors.

When driving, she always wears her seatbelt as a precaution.

Every home owner should take precautions against fire.

She took the precaution of packing extra medicine for the trip.

Recent Examples on the Web

The tremor was felt strongly in the nation’s capital, with alarms sounding and people evacuating to the streets as a precaution. — Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026

In Bogotá, roughly 240 kilometers east of the epicenter, alarms sounded throughout the capital and thousands of people evacuated buildings as a precaution. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 10 Aug. 2026

There is a major heat risk for outdoor activity, and those working outdoors in the afternoon should take extra precaution to hydrate and not overheat during normal activities. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Another potential precaution would be to improve the screening of DNA and RNA sequences that scientists order from specialty suppliers. — Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French précaution, from Late Latin praecaution-, praecautio, from Latin praecavēre to guard against, from prae- + cavēre to be on one's guard — more at hear

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for precaution

• laplacian
• poblacion
• caution
• washin

Kids Definition

precaution

noun

pre·​cau·​tion pri-ˈkȯ-shən 

1

: care taken in advance : foresight

2

: a measure taken beforehand to prevent harm or to bring about a good result

take precautions against fire

precautionary

-shə-ˌner-ē 

adjective