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.
"Precautionary measures have already been initiated in line with the Secretary-General's zero-tolerance policy for sexual exploitation and abuse and other forms of misconduct," said the U.N. statement released late on Wednesday.
From Reuters • Oct. 12, 2023
“Together, Islanders reduced water use to low levels and helped the city successfully avoid a Precautionary Boil Water Notice and a much worse situation.”
From Seattle Times • Apr. 22, 2023
Precautionary sweeps of the rest of Times-occupied floors will begin this evening on floors 5, 6, 12 and 13.
From Slate • Aug. 27, 2019
Precautionary landings have also been reported from flights travelling to Dublin, Bristol, Manchester and Jersey.
From BBC • Oct. 16, 2017
Precautionary leaflets are circulated among the workmen, and attractive posters, printed in all languages, are used.
From Five Lectures on Blindness by Foley, Kate M.
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.
