precaution

[ pri-kaw-shuhn ]
See synonyms for: precautionprecautions on Thesaurus.com

noun
  1. a measure taken in advance to avert possible evil or to secure good results.

  2. caution employed beforehand; prudent foresight.

verb (used with object)
  1. to forewarn; put on guard.

Origin of precaution

1
First recorded in 1595–1605, precaution is from the Late Latin word praecautiōn- (stem of praecautiō). See pre-, caution

Other words for precaution

Other words from precaution

  • un·pre·cau·tioned, adjective

Words Nearby precaution

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use precaution in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for precaution

precaution

/ (prɪˈkɔːʃən) /


noun
  1. an action taken to avoid a dangerous or undesirable event

  2. caution practised beforehand; circumspection

Origin of precaution

1
C17: from French, from Late Latin praecautiō, from Latin praecavēre to guard against, from prae before + cavēre to beware

Derived forms of precaution

  • precautionary or precautional, adjective
  • precautious, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012