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

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

The two teams declined to shake hands in a precautionary measure.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Overall, the risk that policy uncertainty poses to near-retirees and retirees seems substantial, imposing considerable costs on households as they take precautionary actions, as well as harming the economy.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 27, 2026

“If households increase precautionary saving as they budget for higher energy bills, it could point to a more limited pass-through,” she said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

Q: How do the precautionary measures from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights help?

From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026

Fearful that such measures might not be sufficient to protect their interests, the planter class took an additional precautionary step, a step that would later come to be known as a “racial bribe.”

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander