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

McKinnon takes serious precautions to ensure every last component of a costume stays intact, even as athletes leap, spin, and twirl at rapid pace. —Jenny McCoy, SELF, 6 Feb. 2026

These wind chills could result in hypothermia if precautions are not taken. —Cheryl Vari, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Feb. 2026

Police said officers will remain on site Friday as an extra precaution. —Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Feb. 2026

By 2020, as many workers and students were sent home for health precautions, tech had only grown in its relevance within the index. —Alex Harring,nick Wells, CNBC, 6 Feb. 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
• 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