precaution

noun

pre·​cau·​tion pri-ˈkȯ-shən How to pronounce precaution (audio)
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 adjective

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Meanwhile, to prevent sickness, Price recommends that people always assume that raw meat and poultry are contaminated with bacteria and to take precautions in the kitchen. Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2025 Four officers were taken to the hospital as a precaution, the news release said. Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2025 Enquirer media partner, Fox19, reports Winton Hills Academy was locked down as a precaution. Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 23 Oct. 2025 Prepare for the freezing weather All residents in counties included on the freeze warning should take precautions to ensure people, pets, plants and pipes are not impacted by the cold. Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 23 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for precaution

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of precaution was in 1599

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Precaution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precaution. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

precaution

noun
pre·​cau·​tion pri-ˈkȯ-shən How to pronounce precaution (audio)
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 adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on precaution

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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