precaution
noun
pre·cau·tion
pri-ˈkȯ-shən 
1
: care taken in advance : foresight
warned of the need for precaution
2
: a measure taken beforehand to prevent harm or secure good : safeguard
take the necessary precautions
Examples of precaution in a Sentence
Be sure to follow the usual safety precautions when cooking outdoors.
When driving, she always wears her seatbelt as a precaution.
Every home owner should take precautions against fire.
She took the precaution of packing extra medicine for the trip.
Recent Examples on the Web
Once the air quality level is over 101, however, people with underlying lung disease should take extra precautions and stay indoors as much as possible.
—
Angela Haupt, TIME, 14 Jan. 2025
The attack, which struck on Bourbon Street in the heart of the city’s French Quarter, killed 14, and the city has put extra precautions and security measures in place to protect next month’s revelers.
—Jennifer Kester, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
Residents should take precautions to protect plants, pipes, and pets from freezing conditions.
—Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
Many scientists consider precaution a safer bet when not enough is known about the chemicals’ effects.
—Eric Nost, The Conversation, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for precaution 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Angela Haupt, TIME, 14 Jan. 2025
The attack, which struck on Bourbon Street in the heart of the city’s French Quarter, killed 14, and the city has put extra precautions and security measures in place to protect next month’s revelers.
—Jennifer Kester, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
Residents should take precautions to protect plants, pipes, and pets from freezing conditions.
—Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
Many scientists consider precaution a safer bet when not enough is known about the chemicals’ effects.
—Eric Nost, The Conversation, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for precaution
Dictionary Entries Near precaution
Cite this Entry
“Precaution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precaution. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
precaution
noun
pre·cau·tion
pri-ˈkȯ-shən
1
: care taken in advance : foresight
2
: a measure taken beforehand to prevent harm or to bring about a good result
take precautions against fire
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share