precaution
Americannoun
-
a measure taken in advance to avert possible evil or to secure good results.
-
caution employed beforehand; prudent foresight.
- Synonyms:
- circumspection, prudence, forethought
verb (used with object)
noun
-
an action taken to avoid a dangerous or undesirable event
-
caution practised beforehand; circumspection
Usage
What does precaution mean? A precaution is an action taken in advance to prevent something negative from happening or to lessen the impact of the negative thing if it does happen.This sense of precaution is often used with the verb take, as in take precautions or take every precaution. Precaution can also refer to caution in advance of something (which leads one to take such precautions).It can also be used as a verb meaning to warn. However, this is uncommon. The verb caution is more commonly used to mean this.Precaution has two adjective forms: precautious, meaning being careful by actively preparing to avoid something negative, and precautionary, which is used to describe things done as a precaution, as in precautionary measures. Example: Officials said they have taken every available precaution to secure the city in advance of the storm.
Other Word Forms
- precautionary adjective
- precautious adjective
- unprecautioned adjective
Etymology
Origin of precaution
First recorded in 1595–1605, precaution is from the Late Latin word praecautiōn- (stem of praecautiō ). See pre-, caution
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Brakeman Taylor Lawrence sat out heats three and four as a precaution having suffered with a calf injury all season, and Hall said their full focus would be on the four-man event.
From BBC
All five people were treated by paramedics at the scene before being taken to hospital as a precaution.
From BBC
For those looking to avoid even the slightest possibility of dealing with an overbooking situation, experts advise taking certain precautions.
From MarketWatch
As a precaution, portions of Topanga Canyon Boulevard were closed beginning at 10 p.m.
From Los Angeles Times
The alert system puts in place precautions including around-the-clock maintenance of the roadway and possible closure and detours around the Grapevine.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
