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

• 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

Adelle Wellens, a Duluth School District spokesperson, said Laura MacArthur School students stayed inside for recess on Friday as a precaution. —Forum News Service, Twin Cities, 13 Sep. 2025

And, as coronavirus cases are once again rising, what precautions should people take to reduce their chances of infection? —Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025

These precautions help reduce the risk of electrical surges, as lightning can follow conductive pathways. —Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025

Lightning can follow conductive pathways, and these precautions reduce the risk of electrical surges. —Southern California Weather Report, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025

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