precautionary
Americanadjective
-
of, relating to, or characterized by precaution.
precautionary measures.
-
expressing or advising precaution.
precautionary warnings against possible tornadoes.
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
As a precautionary measure glass was removed from bus stop shelters on Friday, and the club urged supporters to avoid mass gatherings which have a "high impact" on the city.
From BBC • May 16, 2026
The UK government -- which counts Pitcairn as an overseas territory -- said the woman was not symptomatic, but it was still taking a "precautionary approach".
From Barron's • May 15, 2026
The club then confirmed that he was "conscious, talking and undergoing precautionary checks" in hospital.
From BBC • May 5, 2026
They are under "strict precautionary measures" on the ship, its operator Oceanwide Expeditions said in a statement, including isolation, hygiene protocols and medical monitoring.
From Barron's • May 4, 2026
As a precautionary measure I moved onto the oar.
From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel
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.
