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 Concerns about crime are prompting businesses, office workers and visitors to take precautions. Paul Schwartzman, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024 During this current testing phase, bag drop agents will still check physical IDs after the facial scan as a security precaution. Rachel Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Mar. 2024 The plaintiffs claim that the fire originated from the lithium-ion battery of a Porsche model and allege VW failed to inform them of the danger and necessary precautions needed to transport such vehicles, according to the Stuttgart court. Karin Matussek, Fortune Europe, 5 Mar. 2024 All of these precautions foster a safe environment for the eagles and eagle lovers. Jim Riccioli, Journal Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2024 Choose from five heat settings (up to 400 degrees) and feel at peace knowing the curling iron automatically turns off as a safety precaution. Katrina Cossey, Parents, 1 Mar. 2024 The message urged travelers to take precautions like keeping an eye on their drinks; staying with a group of friends in bars and clubs, while walking in dark areas or in taxis at night; and letting family and friends know about their travel plans. Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 1 Mar. 2024 To people who must still take precautions for health reasons, the fact that signs are still up, only to be ignored, can feel like a slap in the face. Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 29 Feb. 2024 In light of the recent shooting in the West 7th entertainment district, Artisan Circle has several precautions in place to address crime in the area. Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'precaution.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near precaution

Cite this Entry

“Precaution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precaution. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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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