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

Chicago officials urged residents and visitors to monitor local advisories, travel only when necessary, and take precautions amid the hazardous conditions. —Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2025

Initially, the Fort Worth Stockyards’ twice daily cattle drive was paused out of caution after the Texas Animal Health Commission and The Texas Department of Agriculture called on horsemen to monitor their herds and take biohazard precautions. —Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Nov. 2025

Nancy Rosen, who lives in the affected neighborhood, says she's been taking extra precautions this week. —Samantha Chaney, CBS News, 27 Nov. 2025

Others complained of lax safety precautions by construction workers. —Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 26 Nov. 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