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

Brown described the decision then as a precaution at that stage of the season. — Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 7 Nov. 2026

Doctors initially did not know whether her meningitis was bacterial or viral, according to Smith, so she was being treated for the bacterial form as a precaution. — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026

Indoor propane heater precautions Always allow enough room around your heater to keep nearby objects from getting dangerously hot or coming into contact with it. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026

Nephrologist professor Vivek Jha, senior professorial fellow at The George Institute in India, said precautions would be important for certain groups. — Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 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