precautionary

American  

[pri-kaw-shuh-ner-ee] / prɪˈkɔ ʃəˌnɛr i /

Sometimes precautional

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characterized by precaution.

   precautionary measures.

2. expressing or advising precaution.

   precautionary warnings against possible tornadoes.

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Usage

What does precautionary mean? Precautionary is used to describe actions taken in advance to prevent something negative from happening or to lessen the impact of the negative thing if it does happen. Such actions are called precautions. This sense of precautionary is most commonly seen in the phrase precautionary measures, which is essentially a synonym for precautions. Precaution can also be used as a verb meaning to warn, and precautionary can also mean expressing a warning, as in Police have posted a precautionary message advising all residents to stay indoors due to the chemical spill. Example: Officials said they have taken several precautionary measures to secure the city in advance of the storm.

Etymology

Origin of precautionary

First recorded in 1740–50; precaution + -ary

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Explanation

Anything that might prevent something unpleasant or dangerous from happening is precautionary. If you're babysitting your neighbor's three year old triplets, you might want to hide every fragile thing in your house as a precautionary measure first. If you do it beforehand to protect someone or something, it's precautionary. You may be sure you don't have a concussion after wiping out on your bike, but getting checked out at the emergency room would be a smart, precautionary move anyway. Putting on your helmet before you raced your bike down that hill was also precautionary. The Late Latin source of precautionary is praecautionem, "a safeguarding," from the Latin praecavere, "to guard against beforehand."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

precautionary

On Tuesday, the California Department of Transportation closed one southbound lane from Reef Point Drive to Irvine Cove Drive as a precautionary measure until repairs are complete, Caltrans spokesperson Christianne Smith said in an email.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 14, 2026

Benn was taken to hospital after the fight, in what was understood to be a precautionary measure.

From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026

But you can take precautionary steps to lower your expenses and become less dependent on government retirement income.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 9, 2026

Bristol-Myers Squibb also paused trials of its similar CAR-T treatment, zola-cel, as a precautionary measure.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026

Before the storm, the committee wrote, the terrorists would be most likely to use the occasion “to observe precautionary measures to gauge emergency response resources and continuity of operation plans at critical infrastructures.”

From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers

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