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

• caution
• fail-safe
• palladium
• preventive
• safeguard

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

Residents are advised to take precautions to protect themselves, their homes and their pets during this ongoing cold snap. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025

Just as a precaution, Trend Micro schedules a weekly quick scan. —PCMAG, 24 Jan. 2025

The rain forecast comes on the tail end of another red-flag warning period that prompted nearly 100,000 power customers to have their electricity shut off as a precaution Thursday. —Karina Tsui, CNN, 24 Jan. 2025

Some companies may decide to implement new precautions, such as buying ingredients only from suppliers that regularly test their animals for the virus. —Emily Anthes, New York Times, 23 Jan. 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

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