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
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
Stay cool, drink plenty of fluids, check on relatives and neighbors, and take precautions when working or spending time outside.
—
Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
That would explain the complete and utter disregard for the most basic standards, like taking precautions before construction and providing clean water and safe environments.
—Jay Reddick, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 May 2025
We’re used to taking precautions against crime in the real world.
—Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
Scientists have had some success with short-term forecasts — usually mere hours ahead of an eruption — that have helped local officials decide whether to evacuate areas or take other precautions.
—Denise Chow, NBC news, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for precaution
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.
Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
That would explain the complete and utter disregard for the most basic standards, like taking precautions before construction and providing clean water and safe environments.
—Jay Reddick, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 May 2025
We’re used to taking precautions against crime in the real world.
—Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
Scientists have had some success with short-term forecasts — usually mere hours ahead of an eruption — that have helped local officials decide whether to evacuate areas or take other precautions.
—Denise Chow, NBC news, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for precaution
Cite this Entry
“Precaution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precaution. Accessed 18 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share