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

Example Sentences

A statement from the academy said the closure is a "precautionary measure" and update will be provided to families on Tuesday.

From BBC

Swiss food giant Nestle on Monday announced a recall of batches of infant formula in several European countries, notably Germany, Austria, Denmark, Italy and Sweden, as a precautionary measure.

From Barron's

"This is done only as a precautionary measure, but it is appropriate that we are at a crescent sense of alertness just at the moment for the time being," he said.

From BBC

The 77-year-old monarch isn’t cancer-free or in remission, but the treatment “will now move into a precautionary phase,” said a spokesman for the king.

From The Wall Street Journal

According to Buckingham Palace, the King's recovery has reached a very positive stage and he has "responded exceptionally well to treatment", so much so that doctors will now move his treatment "into a precautionary phase".

From BBC