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 Some gardeners remove every leaf remaining on the newly pruned rose as a precaution. Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 11 Sep. 2024 These are standard precautions, sometimes even required by law for people who live on the edges of forests. Caroline Mimbs Nyce, The Atlantic, 10 Sep. 2024 The most extreme precautions should be taken by people who have been diagnosed with A-fib. Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 6 Sep. 2024 In the absence of precautions like hanging exclusion netting (which creates a barrier against pests) the university reports, the economic impact can be severe: Upwards of 80% of late-season raspberries, blackberries and blueberries—some SWD favorites—can be damaged by the insect. Caroline Tien, SELF, 5 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for precaution 

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 2 Oct. 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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